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September 9, 2003 SUPPORT H.R. 2052 KEEP LOCAL PROGRAMMING DECISIONS IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES Dear Colleague: As the debate over the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) new media
ownership rules continues to unfold, we wish to bring to your attention
significant new evidence relevant to the ongoing debate over the FCC's
decision to weaken its media ownership rules. Attached is a July
25, 2003, letter The letter, in response to a viewer complaint about the content of a Fox network program, candidly admits: "The Network, not WDAF-TV4, decides what goes on the air for the Fox Owned and Operated Television Stations." This statement, of course, directly contradicts assertions by the major networks to Members of Congress that the local managers of these stations are attuned to the needs and interests of local viewers and can preempt network programs they believe to be inappropriate for viewers in their local communities. The letter makes a mockery of "localism" and underscores why Congress initially allocated broadcast spectrum to diverse interests in order to better serve the needs of local communities. It also confirms that allowing networks to acquire stations in new markets, as the Commission did in increasing the national television ownership cap to 45 percent, will further diminish the number of television stations that have the ability to broadcast programs consistent with the values and tastes of the communities they serve. We are now joined by more than 175 of our colleagues in supporting H.R. 2052 which would reverse the FCC's ill-advised decision and, instead, maintain the national television ownership cap at 35 percent national audience reach. Please call Kimrey Rhinehardt (6-1172) in the office of Congressman Richard Burr or Gregg Rothschild (6-3400) of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Minority staff, if you would like to cosponsor this important bill. Sincerely, John D. Dingell Ranking Member
Richard Burr Member | |
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from the Vice President/General Manager of WDAF-TV/FOX 4, a
Fox Network owned and operated television station. The letter confirms what many
of us in Congress have long suspected: the networks -- not the managers of their
owned and operated stations -- make all program decisions for network
owned and operated stations.
