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TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2003

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 along party lines on Monday to relax media ownership regulations.

The changes allow a single company in large cities to own up to three television stations, eight radio stations, a daily newspaper and a cable operator. Television networks will also be allowed to buy more stations.

FCC chairman Michael Powell, his GOP colleagues and the Bush administration believe the new rules are needed to respond to court cases that have limited the agency's oversight. But critics, including Republicans and Democrats in Congress and a diverse group of public interest groups, say they will hurt free speech by allowing big media to get even bigger.

Voting in favor of the rules were Powell, Kathleen Q. Abernathy and Kevin J. Martin. Democrats Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein voted no.

Get the Story:
FCC Eases Media Ownership Rules (The Washington Post 6/3)
Bitter Atmosphere Envelops FCC (The Washington Post 6/3)
Media Giants Hint That They Might Be Expanding (The Washington Post 6/3)
F.C.C. Votes to Relax Rules Limiting Media Ownership (The New York Times 6/3)
New Rules Give Big Media Chance to Get Even Bigger (The New York Times 6/3)
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Relevant Documents:
Video: Powell Announcement | FCC News Release | Attachment | Powell Statement | Abernathy Statement | Copps Statement | Copps Bench Remarks | Copps News Release | Martin Press Statement | Adelstein Statement | Public Notice: Media Bureau Announces Processing Guidelines Under New Order for Broadcast Station Applications

Relevant Links:
Federal Communications Commission - http://www.fcc.gov