Letter to the Speaker of the House
Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
House of Representatives
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Hastert:
As you are well aware, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on June 2nd released a sweeping regulation that would eliminate or relax many media ownership rules. These rules have generated tremendous controversy among a wide array of Americans and advocacy groups. The Senate has responded to this concern by allowing debate of a resolution of disapproval on September 16th - which was subsequently approved with bipartisan support. This week, 205 House members - again with bipartisan support - wrote you to urge that the House of Representatives debate and vote on a similar measure. Press reports indicate that despite this broad request for action, the House leadership will continue to block this measure from reaching the floor. I am writing to personally urge you to reconsider what I feel is a misguided position.
Full implementation of the FCC's regulations would dramatically change our country's notion of a diverse, locally-based mass media system. Taken to its logical extreme, these changes would allow corporations to consolidate reporting, editing, and production for all of their television and newspaper outlets nationwide - virtually eliminating the ability of local workers to provide community-based reporting. Additionally, the FCC's plan could unleash successive waves of mergers and consolidation in the mass media industry - producing extensive layoffs and displacements each time, and reducing competition within the sector.
The core of our democracy is to allow and encourage the free discussion and debate of ideas. A diverse, broadly-owned system of mass media outlets is critical to properly inform and engage our nation's citizens. Credible and compelling arguments have been made that the FCC's regulations threaten this balanced system. These arguments, made from every point of the ideological spectrum, are worthy of debate in the bodies of Congress. The Senate has responded by allowing a debate and vote in their chamber. The House of Representatives should allow the democratic process to work its course and bring this measure to the floor.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response.