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from: Washington Times

FCC’s Three-Ring Hearing

November 1, 2007
By Kara Rowland

The nation’s media regulator wants to relax limits on ownership of radio, television and newspaper outlets, but the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission was greeted yesterday by a gale of testimony overwhelmingly opposed to the idea.

from: Washington Post

Critics Turn Out to Protest Media Consolidation

From Washington Post, November 1, 2007
By Frank Ahrens

Even though the media landscape has changed radically since the last time the Federal Communications Commission tried to alter its media-ownership rules, a hearing at the FCC yesterday showed that the debate remains as heated as ever.

Note: Finally - someone that sees both sides of today's events in Washington. Thanks Harold for seeing the darker side of this FCC Halloween!

from: Media Access Project

MAP Reacts to FCC Cable Franchising Decision

October 31, 2007

Media Access Project Senior Vice President Harold Feld issued the following statement in response to the FCC’s actions on cable franchising and exclusive contracts.

from: Washington Times

Protesters in Costume at FCC Hearing

“We just think everyone should get one [radio station] before some get two.” Pete Tridish, Prometheus Radio Project

October 31, 2007
By Kara Rowland

It was Halloween outside the Federal Communications Commission today as protestors, many clad in costumes, demonstrated outside the agency’s D.C. headquarters to decry media consolidation.

from: The Nation

No Treats for FCC Chair and Media Monopolists

John Nichols Wed Oct 31, 2:03 PM ET

The Nation -- Federal Communications Commission chair Kevin Martin is
doing everything he can to prevent public input that would challenge his
rush to have the commission radically rewrite media ownership rules

From: NATOA

For Immediate Release: Contact: Steve Traylor

October 31, 2007 Phone: 703-519-8035

FCC Hands Cable Treats - Costs Local Governments $3.2 Billion

From: Free Press

October 31, 2007

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x22

Public Urges the FCC to Listen to Broad Outcry against Big Media
Protesters turn out at Halloween rally to stop FCC Chairman's rush toward a new wave of media consolidation

WASHINGTON -- More than 150 citizens crowded the sidewalks outside Federal Communications Commission headquarters in a Halloween-morning rally against media consolidation.

From: Broadcasting and Cable

FCC Gets Earful on Media Ownership
Testimony from Across the Industry Urges Federal Communications Commission Action vs. Consolidation

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/31/2007 12:24:00 PM

The Federal Communications Commission got an earful on the effects of media consolidation on broadcast localism at a public hearing Wednesday, including from its two Democratic commissioners.

On October 31, Halloween, the FCC is holding the last of its public hearings on 'localism' in media. Free Press, Prometheus Radio and others will be holding a rally outside the FCC beginning at 9:00 am, that is expected to continue until the hearing begins.

We'd also like to point out that the Wednesday agenda also includes a "Second Report and Order" concerning local video franchises and incumbent cable companies. We expect that the FCC will issue the same order they did on behalf of the telephone companies last December, which placed greater restraints and limitations on municipalities in determining appropriate local video franchises for their communities. According to the ACM, NLC, NATOA and ACD; "the FCC is expected to rule that existing cable operators can, under certain circumstances, back out of key provisions in their current franchise contracts with local governments, renegotiate lower municipal fees, and reduce the benefits they currently provide to the public."

from: Broadcasting and Cable

The Rev. Jesse Jackson to Headline FCC Localism Hearing
FCC Chairman Martin Promised Hearing as Part of Media-Ownership-Rule Push

By John Eggerton
Broadcasting & Cable, 10/29/2007 5:37:00 PM

Rainbow/PUSH Coalition founder the Rev. Jesse Jackson will be among the headliners at a localism hearing at the Federal Communications Commission Wednesday.