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For Immediate Release
11/08/07
Contact: |
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Inouye: FCC Should Not Rush to Judgment on New Media Ownership Rules
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement today at a Commerce Committee hearing on Localism, Diversity, and Media Ownership:
“The media is a tremendous force. It can inform, educate, and entertain, as well as nourish our democratic dialogue. Yet is also has less savory powers. In recent years, we have seen an increase in coarse and violent programming, but a decrease in local news and hard-hitting journalism. As our media grows more concentrated, we see less and less of the diversity of our nation. When programming is the same from coast to coast, we risk having our airwaves no longer reflect the rich mosaic of our country and our citizens.
“Given this context, I am very troubled by efforts at the FCC to allow greater consolidation of our media. As we know from recent history, this is an area that requires tremendous caution. Four years ago, the FCC substantially relaxed the rules that govern media ownership in this country. Millions of Americans contacted the FCC to complain. The United States Senate voted to support a ‘resolution of disapproval’ in response to the FCC decision. Next, the courts got involved, and the Third Circuit shipped the agency’s handiwork right back to the FCC.
“So we are back at square one. The FCC is poised to review its media ownership rules yet again, and may take some action before the end of this year. So let me caution the agency now: rather than rushing to judgment on new rules, regardless of whether they are a broad set of new rules or modest changes, the FCC should focus on completing pending proceedings on localism and public interest obligations that have long languished for lack of attention. If rule changes are required, the American people deserve to be informed and provided a reasonable period of time for meaningful comment and discussion. I recently discussed these matters with Chairman Martin, and stressed my belief that rushing forward before the end of the year would be a serious mistake.
“Against this backdrop, we hold today’s hearing. It provides us with an opportunity to hear from our witnesses on the state of media ownership, localism, and diversity. I look forward to their testimony on this important topic.”
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27th - |
FCC Commissioners to Testify at Commerce Committee Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee oversight hearing on the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
At this hearing, the Committee Members will hear from the five FCC commissioners on current proceedings involving media and telecommunications policy.
Federal Communications Commission Oversight Hearing
Full Comm...
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15th - |
Inouye Pushes Senate to Move Broadband Mapping Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) today urged the United States Senate to adopt a bill that would improve the quality of federal and state broadband data collection. The Broadband Data Improvement Act (S. 1492) would also encourage initiatives that promote broadband deployment.
“For America to keep pace with the rest of the world in the di...
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13th - |
Climate Scientists, President’s Science Advisor to Testify at Climate Change Research Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a Full Committee hearing titled A Time for Change: Improving the Federal Climate Change Research and Information Program. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will focus on the need to improve the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which is responsible for coordina...
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8th - |
current Press Release |
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7th - |
Commerce Committee to Explore Ways to Improve Federal Climate Change Research Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing titled A Time for Change: Improving the Federal Climate Change Research and Information Program.
The hearing will focus on the need to improve the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which is responsible for coordinating and directing Federal climate change research. It wi...
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7th - |
Science Subcommittee to Discuss Effects of Space Shuttle Retirement
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences Subcommittee hearing on Issues Facing the U.S. Space Program after Retirement of the Space Shuttle.
The Subcommittee hearing will address issues related to the retirement of the Space Shuttle, its remaining missions, the National Aeronautics and Space Adm...
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7th - |
Industry, Non-Profits, and Academia to Testify at Media Ownership Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a Full Committee hearing on Localism, Diversity, and Media Ownership. The witnesses are listed below.
This hearing will focus on issues related to media consolidation, pending proposals to change the Federal Communications Commission’s media ownership rules, and govern...
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5th - |
Witnesses Announced for Carbon Sequestration Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Carbon Sequestration Technologies. The witnesses are listed below.
Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration is a widely discussed solution to decreasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. At this heari...
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1st - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Media Ownership Rules
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Localism, Diversity, and Media Ownership.
This hearing will focus on issues related to media consolidation, pending proposals to change the Federal Communications Commission’s media ownership rules, and government efforts to promote localism and diversity the medi...
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1st - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Hold Carbon Capture Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Carbon Sequestration Technologies.
Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration is a widely discussed solution to decreasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide. At this hearing, the subcommittee will discuss research and developme...
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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