Related Info Congressional Research Service Reports FCC Media Ownership Rules: Issues for Congress - January 30, 2004 Related News: more related news...

As the ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, I have concerns about the consolidation of media outlets and the potentially chilling effects these kinds of mergers can have on the public forum and freedom of speech. Excessive media consolidation can seriously diminish the diversity of views and information Americans receive in the news media, can harm the coverage of local issues as national conglomerates own more and more local stations, and can make unduly difficult for independent producers of news and entertainment programming to distribute their products.

I have been in contact with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell and the FCC regarding this situation, and I will continue to closely monitor the review of broadcast ownership rules. Additionally, I will be closely watching how the DOJ's Antitrust Division reviews media mergers, and the Antitrust Subcommittee will holding a hearing on media consolidation in the near future.