FCC chief defends ownership rules
By Frank James
Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON — In a bid to quell criticism of his agency's recent decision to allow fewer companies to control more broadcast stations, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell announced steps yesterday to address some of his critics' concerns.
Powell said the FCC was launching a "Localism in Broadcasting Initiative," a series of actions meant to show that the agency takes seriously the fears of lawmakers, consumer advocates and the public that the broadcast of content tailored to local audiences could suffer under the FCC's revised ownership rules.
As part of the effort, Powell said, the FCC will work to increase the number of low-power FM radio stations. The agency also is forming a task force to study how federal policies affect locally oriented programming.
But Powell would go only so far in placating his critics. He rejected their calls to delay the FCC's new and controversial media ownership rules, including an increase in the portion of the national television audience that can be reached by stations belonging to a single media company.
The initial reaction to Powell's initiative suggested that it was unlikely to placate FCC detractors. Indeed, one senator vowed to continue his legislative efforts to revoke the FCC's new rules.
At a news conference yesterday, Powell strove to dispel complaints that he has not paid enough attention to public opinion in recent months. On the contrary, he said, "We heard the voice of public concern loud and clear, that localism remains a core concern of our public. And thus, I think, it is time the commission address it head on.
"One of the things we're going to do immediately is take steps to speed the activation of licensing more low-power FM radio stations," he said.
The deregulation of radio has caused particular ire among those who point to Clear Channel Communications Inc., based in San Antonio, as a prime example of the problems of intensive media consolidation. The company, which owns more than 1,000 radio stations, including seven on O'ahu, has been criticized for what some say is cookie-cutter programming that makes its stations in different parts of the country sound alike.
Low-power stations are seen as a way to retain individuality in local radio.
"These non-commercial educational stations serve neighborhoods," Powell said. "They serve schools. They serve churches and other local community audiences."
John Crigler, a Washington, D.C., lawyer who has represented grass-roots radio organizations, was encouraged by Powell's vow to speed up the process for licensing low-power stations.
"From the point of view of the low-power folks, that's very welcome news," he said.
Hundreds of applicants have been waiting for months, Crigler said, and for Powell's plan to be meaningful, the FCC will have to devote more resources to getting the applications processed.
Powell said the new FCC task force that will study locally oriented broadcasting will make recommendations to the agency's five commissioners on what actions the FCC or Congress might take to raise the likelihood that radio and television broadcasters will serve their markets with programming tailored for those audiences.
