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American Morning
What Do Consumers Need to Know About FCC Vote
Aired June 02, 2003 - 07:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A crucial vote today expected that could affect anyone who watches TV, reads the newspaper or listens to radio in America. The head of the FCC says he has no doubt the agency will vote today to ease limits on media ownership.
Critics are already raising issues about this.
Greg Clarkin live from the headquarters of the FCC in D.C. to tell us what we need to know as consumers -- Greg, good morning.
GREG CLARKIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
That's right, a little bit later this morning here the FCC will be meeting and it is expected that FCC Chairman Michael Powell will be successful in his efforts to change the rules of media ownership.
Now, there are three specific proposed rule changes that have been focused on. The first would allow a single company to own TV stations reaching 45 percent of the nation's viewers. Presently that limit is 35 percent. Now, there are also planned change to the ownership rules for cross ownership, owning a broadcast outlet and a newspaper in a single market. Right now that is prohibited without a waiver granted by the FCC. But that is expected to be eased and allow companies to own a broadcast outlet and a newspaper in a single market.
And then also multiple station ownership is expected to get a change. They are expected, the FCC, to ease the rules and allow companies to own up to three TV stations in some of the larger markets in the country.
Now, FCC Chairman Michael Powell says these rules are simply outdated. They were put in place between 1941 and 1975. And he goes on to say that if the FCC doesn't change these, then certainly court challenges will overturn some of these.
Now, opponents to these proposed changes -- and they are many, they cover everything from religious groups to the National Rifle Association -- they go on to say that eventually what you'll get is a lot of consolidation if these changes do go through and we'll wind up with fewer companies controlling more of what we read, see and hear. And they would like to see these regulations stay as they are right now, without any changes.
But, again, Powell says he is confident that he has the votes necessary to get these changes pushed through. All he needs is three, including his own vote. And the FCC is scheduled to meet at 9:30 here this morning. It's not expected to take long. By midday or so they should have the decision on whether or not these changes do go through -- Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Greg, thanks.
Greg Clarkin live down there in D.C.
We'll watch it today.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 2, 2003 - 07:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A crucial vote today expected that could affect anyone who watches TV, reads the newspaper or listens to radio in America. The head of the FCC says he has no doubt the agency will vote today to ease limits on media ownership.
Critics are already raising issues about this.
Greg Clarkin live from the headquarters of the FCC in D.C. to tell us what we need to know as consumers -- Greg, good morning.
GREG CLARKIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
That's right, a little bit later this morning here the FCC will be meeting and it is expected that FCC Chairman Michael Powell will be successful in his efforts to change the rules of media ownership.
Now, there are three specific proposed rule changes that have been focused on. The first would allow a single company to own TV stations reaching 45 percent of the nation's viewers. Presently that limit is 35 percent. Now, there are also planned change to the ownership rules for cross ownership, owning a broadcast outlet and a newspaper in a single market. Right now that is prohibited without a waiver granted by the FCC. But that is expected to be eased and allow companies to own a broadcast outlet and a newspaper in a single market.
And then also multiple station ownership is expected to get a change. They are expected, the FCC, to ease the rules and allow companies to own up to three TV stations in some of the larger markets in the country.
Now, FCC Chairman Michael Powell says these rules are simply outdated. They were put in place between 1941 and 1975. And he goes on to say that if the FCC doesn't change these, then certainly court challenges will overturn some of these.
Now, opponents to these proposed changes -- and they are many, they cover everything from religious groups to the National Rifle Association -- they go on to say that eventually what you'll get is a lot of consolidation if these changes do go through and we'll wind up with fewer companies controlling more of what we read, see and hear. And they would like to see these regulations stay as they are right now, without any changes.
But, again, Powell says he is confident that he has the votes necessary to get these changes pushed through. All he needs is three, including his own vote. And the FCC is scheduled to meet at 9:30 here this morning. It's not expected to take long. By midday or so they should have the decision on whether or not these changes do go through -- Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Greg, thanks.
Greg Clarkin live down there in D.C.
We'll watch it today.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
