Senate Defies Bush, Overturns FCC Ruling

ABC News ^ | 09/16/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

— WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday defied Bush administration opposition and voted to rescind new regulations allowing large media companies to grow even bigger.

The Senate approved, 55-40, a resolution that would roll back the Federal Communications Commission rules allowing television networks to own more local stations and permitting conglomerates to own a newspaper, television stations and radio outlets in a single market.

The measure faces a tougher battle in the U.S. House of Representatives and a threat of a veto by President Bush if it reaches his desk.

The Republican-led FCC narrowly adopted the new rules in June, which would allow television networks to own local stations that collectively reach 45 percent of the national audience, up from 35 percent.

The new rules permit one company to own a newspaper, a television station and several radio stations in a single market, lifting a decades-old ban on cross-ownership. A company would also be permitted to own two local television stations in more local markets.

The regulations were drawn up under the leadership of FCC Chairman Michael Powell, who argued the relaxed limits were necessary to reflect the proliferation of cable, satellite television and the Internet offerings as well as preserve over-the-air broadcast television.

Television networks like Viacom Inc.'s CBS and News Corp.'s Fox contended they need to acquire more local stations to better compete against cable and satellite television services.

Critics, ranging from the National Rifle Association to Consumers Union as well as Democrats and Republicans in Congress, charged that the rules would narrow the choices of viewpoints and cut local news coverage.

Copyright 2003 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Television networks like Viacom Inc.'s CBS and News Corp.'s Fox contended they need to acquire more local stations to better compete against cable and satellite television services.

Funny how ABC, which is owned by Disney, exempted itself from this paragraph.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Defies Bush?? The FCC was ordered by a court, from what I understand, to change the rules. Screw you, ABC.

[exile]

Does anybody have any details on this vote?

[ConservativeMan55]

Defies Bush? ABC is so screwed up! Who is writing this dribble? Pathological Liers?

[ConservativeMan55]

Bush can still veto this.

[Recovering_Democrat]

yeah, i KNOW they voted to change the rules. And from MP said in the hearing and on subsequent interviews is that they were ORDERED to change the rules by a judge. The judge didn't tell them HOW to change them, but that they needed to be updated/revised/reviewed/changed somehow.

No one, when he was interviewed, challenged him on this fact.

[B Knotts]

Rush indicated that there was an amendment in this reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. Anyone know if that's accurate?

[ConservativeMan55]

They just happened to leave that little part out.

[ConservativeMan55]

I heard Rush say that they will attempt to do this.

[AmishDude]

IIRC, the FCC rules were a direct result of a court ruling. I don't know if legislation would make it a moot point, but Michael Powell was convinced that a court would force the FCC to do what it did or possibly something more draconian.

[Moby Grape]

Funny how Time Warner /AOL / Scripps Howard / CNN / all the rest of the incestious bunch were not mentioned.

[Peach]

Bush needs 2/3'rds votes to veto and so far, he does not have the votes. Unfortunately.

[ConservativeMan55]

Damn. Can he still get the votes?

[Peach]

I don't know. It goes to the House next; we'll have to wait to see how it all shakes out.

[jmc813]

Bush can still veto this.

I'm pretty neutral overall on this issue, but if Bush decides to make this the first thing he vetoes after letting CFR through, I'm gonna be ticked.

[Gritty]

The Senate approved, 55-40

40 votes against?

How come no filibuster? Doesn't "our" side play that game?

[Uncle Hal]

Is reinstating the "Fairness Doctrine" in this bill?

[Revolting cat!]

Read about The Stop-Rush Campaign in last Friday's WSJ.