Media outlets have an obligation to respond to the interests of their viewers.   Regulations governing networks need to encourage competition and give citizens the power to influence television programming content.   

 In response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to allow television stations that reach up to 45% of the national audience, I co-sponsored legislation to maintain the current 35% cap.  A last minute compromise that raises the ownership ceiling to 39% has been attached to a spending bill that funds much of the federal government in 2004.  Congress cannot postpone its responsibilities any longer, so this bill is expected to pass the United States Senate on Tuesday, January 20th. 

Competition must be present in order to bring about accountability, efficiency and a true "open market."  I will do my best to find new ways to protect local media outlets from national networks that dominate the market and sometimes control all programming.  We need more competition, not less.