September 26, 2000
The Honorable W.J. "Billy" Tauzin Dear Chairman Tauzin: We are writing to express our disappointment with plans for the hearing scheduled for this Wednesday morning, entitled "The Future of Interactive Television." The Republican majority has notified us of its intent to invite only two witnesses to this hearing, Mr. Gerald Levin, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner, and Mr. Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of AOL, and to deny the Democratic minority’s request for additional witnesses that would provide Members with a full range of views. As you are well aware, AOL and Time Warner are in the midst of a mega-merger. According to numerous media reports, a number of issues have arisen during the pendency of this merger at the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, as well as with the relevant antitrust authorities in Europe. We had hoped that any public hearing bearing on the AOL-Time Warner merger would explore the public policy issues at stake as well as avail Members of the Subcommittee of the opportunity to hear alternative perspectives. The Commerce Committee has a long history of honoring minority requests for balance and additional witnesses in Committee proceedings. Our request for witnesses representing consumers, entrepreneurs, and alternative viewpoints could have remedied a substantive deficiency in this proceeding. We are curious to know why such a request could not be honored in this instance. As has been widely reported, both AOL and Time Warner have gone to great lengths in various proceedings to convince policymakers and the public that their proposed merger is no threat to competition, consumers, innovation, or diversity. It is more than a little ironic, therefore, that the AOL-Time Warner perspective will be the only one permitted at a hearing on the future of interactive TV. The Democratic minority stands ready and willing to work with the Republican majority on the Committee to explore and analyze the public policy ramifications of the future of interactive television, which may have profound effects on the American economy and society. Any future deliberations must be more substantive, and less one-sided, than Wednesday morning’s scheduled hearing. Sincerely, JOHN D. DINGELL EDWARD J. MARKEY cc: Democratic Members, Subcommittee on
Telecommunications,
| |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
