Upton, Walden Respond to FCC's End Run of Process on Broadcast Sharing Announcement

Press Release

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today responded to Wednesday's announcement by the Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau changing FCC policy with regard to the approval of broadcast television transactions involving sharing agreements. The committee leaders are concerned that the change not only could harm consumer choice, but denied FCC commissioners participation in the process of changing commission policy.

"Coming on the heels of the House's overwhelming bipartisan approval of the FCC Process Reform Act Monday evening, the FCC Media Bureau's action not only flies in the face of reform, it reveals an alarming disregard for process. This effort raises questions about Chairman Wheeler's stated commitment to process reform," said Upton and Walden. "This end-run around the full commission is a step back for transparency and reform, and sadly, consumers are the ones who stand to lose the most."

Source