Reminder -- Comments due Oct. 23rd in Multiple Ownership Rule Making
Just a reminder that comments in the Commission's multiple ownership rule making proceeding are due Monday, October 23rd. Comments may be filed either in paper, or electronically via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System. And if you're not able to submit your comments by the 23rd, the deadline for Reply Comments is December 21, 2006. So far the rule making docket is up to 121,557 comments, so make sure to add your voice to the record as the Commission reviews its ownership rules.
Anti-consolidation forces have been organizing opposition to any liberalization of the ownership rules. According to press reports, a number of groups held a press conference today to attack any proposals for allowing any more consolidation. According to another story, these groups plan to file hundreds of pages of studies on the ill effects of media consolidation. Interestingly, this comes on the heels of reports of NBC's announcement that media competition, including competition from the Internet, has forced it to adopt a new business model, dropping scripted programs from the first hour of prime time, and consolidating and shrinking its news staff. These contrasting views of the effects of consolidation and the new media environment will no doubt make for a long and contentious proceeding. Make your voice heard on these important issues.