WASHINGTON — Federal regulators’ latest public hearing into media ownership rules Wednesday came complete with a protest outside its headquarters against allowing more consolidation among media companies.
At a lively and well-attended public meeting, the five members of the Federal Communications Commission heard testimony from experts and comments from members of the public, all criticizing a possible relaxation of media ownership rules favored by Republicans.
Speakers included a panel made up of several public interest groups, members of local media companies and individuals arguing for more involvement by women and minority groups in media ownership. The FCC has held meetings on the subject over the past year.
Marcellus Alexander, an executive vice president at the National Association of Broadcasters, and Jim Goodman, president and chief executive of North Carolina’s Capital Broadcasting, spoke in support of local broadcasters.
All the other panel members criticized the lack of local content and news aired by owners of television and radio stations.
Andrew Schwartzman, president of public interest group Media Access Project, said that before the FCC even considers relaxing its ownership rules, it must strengthen the existing framework by which radio and television stations have their licenses renewed, including requiring stations to air a minimum amount of local content.
