Media Views

Although the study would have been the fifth of its kind since the 1996 Act—which lifted national radio ownership caps—it was never released, and no subsequent studies on the topic have been conducted. It only became public after a copy was leaked to the office of Sen. Barbara Boxer.... Under [Chair Kevin] Martin, the FCC is again considering handing control of more local news outlets to massive media conglomerates.... "Ninety-seven percent of the public feedback received by the FCC in 2003 opposed further media consolidation, and more than 100,000 people have already filed comments this time around," [Free Press' Josh] Silver said. "Yet Chairman Martin continues to push for rules that will let a small handful of companies swallow up more of our local media. Maybe he should start reading his own research."