Lawmakers spar over media ownership rules

Critics of the Federal Communications Commission’s media ownership rules said at a House Energy and Commerce Committee brief hearing on Friday that the regulations needed an update, while Democrats pushed back against any changes.

The FCC has rules designed to limit media consolidation and keep a range of voices on the air. But critics contend that they are not calibrated for a media environment where television stations are competing with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

{mosads}“Ignoring the need to make media ownership rules more relevant only hurts the industry and public interest,” said Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), vice chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, in an opening statement. “We need updated laws that better reflect the 21st Century communications landscape.”

Democrats, though, are wary about loosening the rules that govern broadcasters.

“We know nothing we deal with has easy answers but one thing is certain: Relaxing the FCC’s media ownership rules will pave the way for increased industry consolidation, which does, in my view, nothing to promote localism, competition or diversity,” said subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.).

She said she was particularly eager to make sure that the rules encouraging diversity among broadcast owners were strong.

“A 21st century broadcast system should reflect the composition of our country,” she said. “This is not only the right thing to do, it’s good business as well.”

Witnesses at the hearing included representatives of industry and public interest groups. A lawyer for the National Association of Broadcasters said that “the current ownership rules actually inhibit rather than promote broadcasters to compete in a vibrant video marketplace.”

Several witnesses said that it was imperative for the FCC to focus on diversity among broadcast stations.

“Unfortunately, since 1978 the FCC’s activity regarding minority ownership has been marked by inconsistently applied policies and, in some cases, repeal of minority ownership initiatives without the implementation of new or alternative approaches,” said Kim Keenan, the President of the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council.

Overshadowing the hearing was Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) announcement, made less than an hour before the panel began, that he will resign from Congress in October.

Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who is also the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, was notably absent from the dais. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) made only a quick appearance.

He stood by an entrance to the committee room, speaking with Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and left without making his planned statement.

Eshoo said that Boehner had “my respect and my gratitude for what he has done over the years in Congress.”

“We’ll miss John,” said Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.).