As a strong proponent of competition in the market place, I believe media regulations should encourage competition and allow for the free exchange of ideas.  Independent non-network affiliate local television stations should be able to respond to the interests and values of the local viewers that they serve, not national broadcast networks vying for advertising dollars with uniform programming. 

The media ownership laws that prohibit any entity from owning television stations that reach greater than 35% of the national audience are not new.  They have worked well by encouraging adequate competition among local, regional, and national networks, resulting in programming tailored to a wide variety of audiences.  The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) recent decision to change these rules would increase media ownership among nationwide networks, causing a decrease in the variety of local programming.  Consolidation of ownership will mean consolidation of the viewpoints expressed in written, radio, and television media outlets.      

As this issue continues to be debated we must work to make sure local citizens have the power to influence decisions on television programming content.  It will only help the free exchange of ideas.  Competition must be present in order to bring about accountability, efficiency and a true "open market."