Powell Wants June Vote on Media Ownership

By: Todd Shields (Mediaweek.com) FCC Chairman Michael Powell said Thursday the Federal Communications Commission expects to vote June 2 on overhauling the nation's media-ownership laws.

Powell said the agency had tentatively set an open meeting for that date to decide the rules, which limit the size of TV networks, limit the degree of TV and radio concentration in local markets, and keep daily newspapers from owning nearby broadcast stations.

After a series of court setbacks, the agency is reviewing whether to retain, modify, or eliminate the rules.

Powell, a Republican, has been pushing to finish the media ownership review by late spring. Some, including FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat, have said the agency should gather more information before deciding the rules.

Powell indicated he disagreed with calls for the FCC to seek additional comment, saying he was "not inclined" to do so.

Powell's comments came in a wide-ranging speech to an audience in Washington at a luncheon sponsored by The Media Institute, an industry think tank. He said he doubts the wisdom of continuing to bar newspapers from owning TV or radio stations, and he warned against using FCC rules to regulate indecent or violent content. Copps has called for FCC action to restrain indecency.