Democratic Commissioners speak out

Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein joined members of Congress and union officials in calling for public hearings on media ownership, now that the 3rd District Court has sent the rules back for justification or modification.

Copps said that he requested hearings a month ago, but so far hasn't gotten a response of any kind from Chairman Michael Powell.

Copps railed against the 6/2/03 ruling. "We've heard from the Court we've heard from the Congress, and we've heard from the American people, and everybody is saying we got it wrong."

While many have claimed that the court ruling was a victory for anti-consolidation forces, Copps has a more realistic view. He said it buys time, but the same people who brought us the first set of rules will be in charge of the next set. He said there's no guarantee that they'll be better this time around.

Adelstein addressed the poll of journalists presented by the unions. "Media workers are canaries in the coal mine," he said. "Those that haven't already been killed by consolidation are coughing loudly." He said that the FCC claim that the Internet should be factored in when measuring media diversity was refuted by the FCC's own data. "Why is it we ignore our own studies when it's convenient?"

The pair vowed to hold hearings in diverse locations with or without their republican colleagues, although they said they'd prefer a full, formal Commission event. "I hope [Powell] will heed our call for hearings," said Adelstein, "but I want you to rest assured that me and Commissioner Copps are ready to ride again."