Seattle FCC Hearing: Democracy is in their hands: What are they thinking?
Noemie Maxwell, Published on Washblog on 11/9/07, updated on 11/10/07

The three Bush appointees to the 5-member Federal Communications Commission are expected to proposed new rules allowing cross-ownership of print and broadcast media in local markets despite overwhelming evidence and public testimony in opposition. Given the outpouring of compelling testimony expressed from every political point of view that further consolidation will decrease market competition and "weaken democracy"*, a question arises: what's going with McDowell and Martin? Is it possible they don't understand how much depends on their actions? I had speculated that the demeanor of exhausted-looking pro-consolidation McDowell on the left (he appeared this way much of the time) expressed penitence and embarrassment -- and that of attentive-looking Chair Martin, third from the left, profound ease with the fact that he is about to sell out democracy. A friend I was with thought the opposite, that Martin seemed genuinely impacted by the testimony and McDowell exuded arrogance.

Tomorrow (11/10/07) I'll post a few more pictures and observations, below. Northwest Progressive Institute has live blogging of the event.

Friday night's FCC hearing was the last of several held nationally to gather public input on proposed new rules that would allow cross-ownership of TV and broadcast media in the same markets. Scant public notice was given -- the minimum allowable. But Town Hall Seattle was filled to capacity and people testified well past midnight. The two commissioners opposing the new rules were passionate and, I thought, even angry. There was a feeling in the room that the vote had already been decided. And an air of defiance.

Before I arrived a number of elected officials, starting with Governor Gregoire and including Representative Jay Inslee and state Attorney General Rob McKenna, had already testified against the new rules. Representative Reichert was speaking in support of localism and diversity -- in other words, against the new rules -- as I walked in. Reclaim the Media has posted Gregoire's and Reichert's testimony.

Commissioner Adelstein, that's him to the left, has provided a written copy of his prepared comments, including the following: "If the majority of the FCC opposes the majority of America in the name of the 'public interest,' you will see a willful act of arrogance. You will see a handful of unelected bureaucrats telling you 'we know what's in your interest better than you know for yourselves.' That will face a harsh judgment by your elected representatives on both sides of the aisle in Congress, with Washington State leading the way." What the commissioner said came out much stronger, I thought. My notes have this: "This goes against the grain of the American spirit.... If the majority of the FCC opposes the majority of Americans, this will be a willful act of arrogance that deserves to be struck down!'

Chairman Kevin Martin followed up with a statement that referred to the opposition to the new rules as "rhetoric". As he spoke, people shouted things like: "fascist!", "bullshit!", "be brief!", "resign!" and "corporate lackey!".

The testimony that I thought got the loudest and longest applause, including a standing ovation, was from a professor Emeritus from Cornell University. My notes are incomplete but it went something like this: 'I've studied American history and I know that investigative reporting is central to democracy. I feel a cynicism about this hearing tonight that I believe is justified by the recent actions taken by this FCC. I expect that by providing this testimony I may be merely colluding in a media exercise. The commissioners can say they complied with the law by holding this hearing and listening to all of us talk. But they know how they're going to vote; the votes are already bought and sold. Investigative journalism has failed America!'

At that moment, it seemed to me that everyone in that room was thinking about our entrance in Iraq under false pretenses while reporters acted as cheerleaders and entertainers instead of guardians of the truth. I would guess that I was not the only one who imagined blood on the hands of the commissioners who would allow the means of communication that belong to the American people and are essential for our safety, to be monopolized by the few for mere profit.

A number of panelists and commenters from media organizations that supported the new rules spoke. Their theme seemed to be that small and mid-sized stations are having real difficulty staying in business and also that they truly do care about the local communities. Several examples were given of large donations raised by these stations and donated to fight cancer or to local organizations -- or free air time given to promote events.

Panelists Erubiel Valladares-Carranzo II, Technical Engineer, and Oscar Morales, representing Low-power FM station KPCN-LP 96.3 FM Radio Movimiento "La Voz del Pueblo". KPCN-LP, is a farmworker station in southern Oregon that helps community members organize for their rights. Morales testified in Spanish and Valladares-Carranzo II translated. Morales: 'I'm representing our people, young people that the government has put in the shadows. FCC, please don't shut us down.' Regular FM stations can expand their coverage and extinguish low-power FM stations. However, the low-power stations are not permitted to impinge on other stations. John Carlson, shown on the left, above, is a commentator on KVI-AM and founder of the free market think tank, Washington Policy Center. He argued that consolidation has gone too far and has squelched competition. His testimony was very similar to what he presented last year, which is posted here on Reclaim the Media's site. Frank Blethen on the right, CEO of Seattle Times, also testified against the proposed new rules.

Jonathan Lawson, Executive Director of Reclaim the Media was second or third to testify. RTM's work deserves much of the credit for the big turnout to this last-minute hearing. RTM's site reports that some US Senators are giving notice to the FCC that they are watching closely and may not allow a decision in favor of cross-media ownership to stand.