WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate approved a "legislative veto" on Thursday that would overturn the FCC's new rule allowing newspaper and broadcast combinations in the top 20 markets.
The "resolution of disapproval," sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and 26 other senators, was approved by a voice vote and, if approved by the House, faces a veto by President Bush.
Both Democratic candidates for president, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, support the resolution.
Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has described the agency's action as a "relatively minor loosening" of broadcast media ownership restrictions. The rule was approved by the FCC on a 3-2 party-line vote in December with both Democrats dissenting.
Dorgan called the FCC action opened a "gaping loophole for more mergers of newspapers and television stations across the country."
The House also is considering a nullification of the ownership rule, but even if supporters are successful, the measure would likely be rejected by Bush.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said he was "disappointed with the Senate's action" and would recommend to the president that he veto the bill.
The "resolution of disapproval," sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and 26 other senators, was approved by a voice vote and, if approved by the House, faces a veto by President Bush.
Both Democratic candidates for president, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, support the resolution.
Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has described the agency's action as a "relatively minor loosening" of broadcast media ownership restrictions. The rule was approved by the FCC on a 3-2 party-line vote in December with both Democrats dissenting.
Dorgan called the FCC action opened a "gaping loophole for more mergers of newspapers and television stations across the country."
The House also is considering a nullification of the ownership rule, but even if supporters are successful, the measure would likely be rejected by Bush.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said he was "disappointed with the Senate's action" and would recommend to the president that he veto the bill.
- 5/16/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday told the FCC to drop dead as far it's media ownership policy is concerned.
Without dissent the panel approved a "legislative veto" that would prevent the commission from implementing new regulations that remove the federal bar to newspaper-broadcast combinations in the top markets and make it easier for the combos to receive approval in the smaller ones.
"If we allow the FCC to relax its media cross-ownership rules, we will be doing the people of America a great disservice," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. "Diverse, independent and local media sources are essential to ensuring that the public has access to a variety of information."
Dorgan is a long-time critic of the FCC and a staunch opponent of allowing media properties to come under the control of fewer people. The Senate resolution has 25 co-sponsors including Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.
The resolution of disapproval works like a presidential veto, only from the legislative branch.
Without dissent the panel approved a "legislative veto" that would prevent the commission from implementing new regulations that remove the federal bar to newspaper-broadcast combinations in the top markets and make it easier for the combos to receive approval in the smaller ones.
"If we allow the FCC to relax its media cross-ownership rules, we will be doing the people of America a great disservice," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. "Diverse, independent and local media sources are essential to ensuring that the public has access to a variety of information."
Dorgan is a long-time critic of the FCC and a staunch opponent of allowing media properties to come under the control of fewer people. The Senate resolution has 25 co-sponsors including Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.
The resolution of disapproval works like a presidential veto, only from the legislative branch.
- 4/24/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- The Senate Commerce Committee plans to vote Wednesday on legislation that would reverse the FCC's recent decision lifting the federal ban against joint ownership of a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in the same market.
Under the so-called "legislative veto" being pushed by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., the resolution would rescind the FCC's December decision to allow newspaper-broadcast combinations in the nation's top 20 markets.
The FCC also gave permanent waivers to the cross-ownership ban in 42 situations and made it easier to win waivers for newspaper-broadcast combinations in smaller markets.
While the resolution would likely face a veto by President Bush, approval, even if it was only by the Senate, "would send a strong message" that the public is opposed to easing ownership rules.
The FCC decision also faces several legal challenges from parties who think it went too far -- and from those who feel it didn't go far enough...
Under the so-called "legislative veto" being pushed by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., the resolution would rescind the FCC's December decision to allow newspaper-broadcast combinations in the nation's top 20 markets.
The FCC also gave permanent waivers to the cross-ownership ban in 42 situations and made it easier to win waivers for newspaper-broadcast combinations in smaller markets.
While the resolution would likely face a veto by President Bush, approval, even if it was only by the Senate, "would send a strong message" that the public is opposed to easing ownership rules.
The FCC decision also faces several legal challenges from parties who think it went too far -- and from those who feel it didn't go far enough...
- 3/31/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- One of Congress' leading FCC critics introduced legislation Wednesday that would undo recent FCC action easing the ban forbidding a company from owning a newspaper and a TV station in the same city.
The so-called "legislative veto" is being pushed by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. It would rescind the FCC's December decision to allow newspaper-broadcast combinations in the nation's top 20 markets. At the same time the FCC gave the green light to newspaper-broadcast combos in the nation's biggest markets, it gave permanent waivers to the cross-ownership ban in 42 situations and made it easier to win waivers for newspaper-broadcast combinations in smaller markets.
Dorgan said he had a commitment from Commerce Committee chairman Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to report the bill out of committee, and there was a commitment from Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reed, D-Nev., for a floor vote in April. The resolution must be approved by the Senate within 60 work days.
The so-called "legislative veto" is being pushed by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. It would rescind the FCC's December decision to allow newspaper-broadcast combinations in the nation's top 20 markets. At the same time the FCC gave the green light to newspaper-broadcast combos in the nation's biggest markets, it gave permanent waivers to the cross-ownership ban in 42 situations and made it easier to win waivers for newspaper-broadcast combinations in smaller markets.
Dorgan said he had a commitment from Commerce Committee chairman Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to report the bill out of committee, and there was a commitment from Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reed, D-Nev., for a floor vote in April. The resolution must be approved by the Senate within 60 work days.
WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee approved legislation Tuesday designed to slow FCC chairman Kevin Martin's move to ease the general ban prohibiting a single company from owning a newspaper and a TV station in the same market.
The legislation pushed by Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Trent Lott, R-Miss., would delay for at least six months Martin's attempt to eviscerate the rule in the nation's biggest markets.
Dorgan accused Martin of harboring an "obsession" to allow more concentration of media ownership.
"We already have galloping concentration that hurts our country," Dorgan said. He added that the committee's vote sends a message to Martin that "he needs to follow a fair process, examine the impact of his proposal on localism and diversity of ownership and let the public be heard."
On Dec. 18, Martin plans to hold a vote on his proposal that would allow one media company to own a newspaper and a TV station in the top 20 markets as long as the station isn't one of the four most popular stations in that market.
The legislation pushed by Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Trent Lott, R-Miss., would delay for at least six months Martin's attempt to eviscerate the rule in the nation's biggest markets.
Dorgan accused Martin of harboring an "obsession" to allow more concentration of media ownership.
"We already have galloping concentration that hurts our country," Dorgan said. He added that the committee's vote sends a message to Martin that "he needs to follow a fair process, examine the impact of his proposal on localism and diversity of ownership and let the public be heard."
On Dec. 18, Martin plans to hold a vote on his proposal that would allow one media company to own a newspaper and a TV station in the top 20 markets as long as the station isn't one of the four most popular stations in that market.
- 12/5/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers began pushing legislation Thursday that would delay by at least six months FCC consideration of new-media ownership rules.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., contends that FCC chairman Kevin Martin is in too much of a rush to change the nation's media ownership regulations.
Martin has indicated that he wants to wrap up the ownership regulation review soon, with a vote before year's end. He has suggested that the commission release his proposals Tuesday before the commission votes on them, giving the public a month to comment and perhaps make changes.
But to Dorgan and his Senate allies, that timetable is too truncated.
"No one wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat saying we need to have more media consolidation," Dorgan said during a hearing on the issue before the Senate Commerce Committee.
In Dorgan's view, the commission's examination of local ownership and media companies' responsiveness to local needs should be finished before the FCC makes a decision to ease the ownership restrictions.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., contends that FCC chairman Kevin Martin is in too much of a rush to change the nation's media ownership regulations.
Martin has indicated that he wants to wrap up the ownership regulation review soon, with a vote before year's end. He has suggested that the commission release his proposals Tuesday before the commission votes on them, giving the public a month to comment and perhaps make changes.
But to Dorgan and his Senate allies, that timetable is too truncated.
"No one wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat saying we need to have more media consolidation," Dorgan said during a hearing on the issue before the Senate Commerce Committee.
In Dorgan's view, the commission's examination of local ownership and media companies' responsiveness to local needs should be finished before the FCC makes a decision to ease the ownership restrictions.
- 11/9/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- Congressional critics of the FCC's efforts to ease the regulations governing the ownership of media properties are vowing to slow, if not stop, chairman Kevin Martin's intention to move the plan before year's end.
Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Trent Lott, R-Miss., said in a letter to Martin on Thursday that they "do not believe the commission has adequately studied the impact of media consolidation on local programming" in his push to win votes at the panel on the issue.
"The FCC should not rush forward and repeat mistakes of the past," the lawmakers wrote.
Dorgan and Lott want the commission to fold its examination of local programming and broadcaster community service, known as localism, into its proceedings on ownership. Martin has so far kept the two separate.
"We strongly encourage you to slow down and proceed with caution, maintaining the public interest goals of localism, diversity and competition as top priorities," the lawmakers wrote.
On Wednesday, officials said that Martin has circulated among the commissioners plans to ease ownership rules including relaxing regulations that bar one company from owning a newspaper and TV station in the same city.
Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Trent Lott, R-Miss., said in a letter to Martin on Thursday that they "do not believe the commission has adequately studied the impact of media consolidation on local programming" in his push to win votes at the panel on the issue.
"The FCC should not rush forward and repeat mistakes of the past," the lawmakers wrote.
Dorgan and Lott want the commission to fold its examination of local programming and broadcaster community service, known as localism, into its proceedings on ownership. Martin has so far kept the two separate.
"We strongly encourage you to slow down and proceed with caution, maintaining the public interest goals of localism, diversity and competition as top priorities," the lawmakers wrote.
On Wednesday, officials said that Martin has circulated among the commissioners plans to ease ownership rules including relaxing regulations that bar one company from owning a newspaper and TV station in the same city.
- 10/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- MPAA president and CEO Dan Glickman has reorganized the association's lobbying arm, promoting and reassigning several government affairs officials and hiring an aide to a key Senate Democrat.
On Monday, Glickman promoted Greg Frazier to executive vp worldwide government policy and Michael O'Leary to senior vp and chief counsel for federal affairs and policy.
MPAA veteran Vans Stevenson will continue in his role as senior vp state government affairs, while Anissa Whitten, MPAA trade director since 2005, has been promoted to vp international affairs and trade policy. O'Leary, Stevenson and Whitten report to Frazier, who reports to Glickman.
Glickman also said that Daphna Peled, a top aide to Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., will join the MPAA in June as vp and senior counsel for federal affairs and policy and that MPAA executive Todd Flournoy will move to vp and senior counsel for federal affairs and policy from his previous position handling state government affairs.
On Monday, Glickman promoted Greg Frazier to executive vp worldwide government policy and Michael O'Leary to senior vp and chief counsel for federal affairs and policy.
MPAA veteran Vans Stevenson will continue in his role as senior vp state government affairs, while Anissa Whitten, MPAA trade director since 2005, has been promoted to vp international affairs and trade policy. O'Leary, Stevenson and Whitten report to Frazier, who reports to Glickman.
Glickman also said that Daphna Peled, a top aide to Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., will join the MPAA in June as vp and senior counsel for federal affairs and policy and that MPAA executive Todd Flournoy will move to vp and senior counsel for federal affairs and policy from his previous position handling state government affairs.
- 5/22/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats on Thursday pressured the five FCC commissioners to set programming requirements for broadcasters as part of the industry's mandate to operate in the public interest.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats on Thursday pressured the five FCC commissioners to set programming requirements for broadcasters as part of the industry's mandate to operate in the public interest.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats on Thursday pressured the five FCC commissioners to set programming requirements for broadcasters as part of the industry's mandate to operate in the public interest.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
WASHINGTON -- FCC chairman Kevin Martin is set to go before the Senate Commerce Committee today in the first of at least two congressional hearings in which the Republican agency head will face committees controlled by Democrats.
Commerce Committee staffers and aides for the panel's members said that those coming to the hearing looking for a big difference in how Martin and the other commissioners are treated now that the Democrats have wrested control might be in for a disappointment.
"People generally like Kevin", one committee aide said. "He's been really responsive to the senators' concerns and (in) answering their questions."
That doesn't mean Martin will get a free ride. Several senators from both sides of the aisle have been critical of the agency's decisions under his watch.
Among Democrats, Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., have never been shy about pointing out what they see as problems with FCC decisions. The same can be said for some Republicans, notably Sens. John Sununu, R-N.H., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.
"It's not like the committee is made up of a bunch of shrinking violets," another of the panel's staff members said. "But we don't expect a lot of ranting and raving."
Part of the reason for the predicted civility lies in the chairmanship. While Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii, is now running the show, he and past chairman Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, are good friends, and Stevens was named vice chairman.
Commerce Committee staffers and aides for the panel's members said that those coming to the hearing looking for a big difference in how Martin and the other commissioners are treated now that the Democrats have wrested control might be in for a disappointment.
"People generally like Kevin", one committee aide said. "He's been really responsive to the senators' concerns and (in) answering their questions."
That doesn't mean Martin will get a free ride. Several senators from both sides of the aisle have been critical of the agency's decisions under his watch.
Among Democrats, Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., have never been shy about pointing out what they see as problems with FCC decisions. The same can be said for some Republicans, notably Sens. John Sununu, R-N.H., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.
"It's not like the committee is made up of a bunch of shrinking violets," another of the panel's staff members said. "But we don't expect a lot of ranting and raving."
Part of the reason for the predicted civility lies in the chairmanship. While Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii, is now running the show, he and past chairman Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, are good friends, and Stevens was named vice chairman.
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats on Thursday pressured the five FCC commissioners to set programming requirements for broadcasters as part of the industry's mandate to operate in the public interest.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
In the FCC's first appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee since the Democrats took control of Congress, the lawmakers weren't shy about voicing their objections to what appears on TV.
Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called television a menu filled with "junk, sex and scandals." Rockefeller and other Democrats -- most notably Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- complained that the FCC was abdicating its obligation to police the airwaves.
"I think TV is in the worst state it's ever been in," Rockefeller said. "I'm convinced the FCC has abandoned its core responsibility."
The lawmakers pushed FCC chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, to commence a rule that would define exactly what programming constitutes the "public interest."
"It seems to me (that) the public-interest standards have been completely emasculated, and I'm hoping you will start a notice of proposed rulemaking on public-interest standards," Dorgan said.
WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan pair of senators introduced legislation on Tuesday that would limit the control that big cable, phone and other network companies could exert over the Internet.
Senators Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, have teamed up on the "network neutrality" issue before. In the previous Congress, when Republicans held a majority in both chambers, the pair introduced the same legislation. That measure was defeated. Even with the Democrats now in control, the fate of such a bill is still very much in doubt given the razor-thin 51-49 count in the Senate.
"The Internet became a robust engine of economic development by enabling anyone with a good idea to connect to consumers and compete on a level playing field," Dorgan said. "The marketplace picked winners and losers, not some central gatekeeper. That freedom -- the very core of what makes the Internet what it is today -- must be preserved."
The Internet Freedom Preservation Act seeks to ensure that broadband service providers do not discriminate against Internet content, applications or services by offering preferential treatment.
Senators Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, have teamed up on the "network neutrality" issue before. In the previous Congress, when Republicans held a majority in both chambers, the pair introduced the same legislation. That measure was defeated. Even with the Democrats now in control, the fate of such a bill is still very much in doubt given the razor-thin 51-49 count in the Senate.
"The Internet became a robust engine of economic development by enabling anyone with a good idea to connect to consumers and compete on a level playing field," Dorgan said. "The marketplace picked winners and losers, not some central gatekeeper. That freedom -- the very core of what makes the Internet what it is today -- must be preserved."
The Internet Freedom Preservation Act seeks to ensure that broadband service providers do not discriminate against Internet content, applications or services by offering preferential treatment.
WASHINGTON -- A leading Democratic senator condemned a study conducted by the head of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting into alleged bias on some of PBS and NPR programming as "a little nutty" and a waste of taxpayers' money. "The raw data makes clear this was not an objective study. It was not a professional study. It was an amateur study, based on no standard or objective criteria," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said. "It appears to have been cobbled together by an armchair analyst with little or no professional preparation for the task. The report is itself steeped in deep political bias." Dorgan made his remarks as he released data collected which rated program interview guests and comments as "pro-Bush" and "anti-Bush," and "Liberal" or "Conservative".
- 6/30/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- Legislation exponentially increasing the fines on broadcasters and performers for indecent actions was stripped Thursday from a bill authorizing Defense Department operation after Democrats insisted that it include media ownership restrictions and First Amendment concerns were raised, according to sources. Removing the Broadcast Decency Act from legislation that spells out the operations of the Defense Department could doom its passage this year. Supporters of the legislation were attempting to pass the bill on its own, but that is unlikely as Democrats would like to see the ownership restrictions added. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., wanted an amendment to the legislation that he won in the Commerce Committee -- which would have frozen the current media ownership rules in place -- left on the bill. Keeping the media ownership language in place, however, offended many senators and would have slowed negotiations between to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. In addition, some lawmakers were concerned about the First Amendment impact of the Broadcast Decency Act.
- 10/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WASHINGTON -- Legislation exponentially increasing the fines on broadcasters and performers for indecent actions was stripped Thursday from a bill authorizing Defense Department operation after Democrats insisted that it include media ownership restrictions and First Amendment concerns were raised, according to sources. Removing the Broadcast Decency Act from legislation that spells out the operations of the Defense Department could doom its passage this year. Supporters of the legislation were attempting to pass the bill on its own, but that is unlikely as Democrats would like to see the ownership restrictions added. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., wanted an amendment to the legislation that he won in the Commerce Committee -- which would have frozen the current media ownership rules in place -- left on the bill. Keeping the media ownership language in place, however, offended many senators and would have slowed negotiations between to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. In addition, some lawmakers were concerned about the First Amendment impact of the Broadcast Decency Act.
- 10/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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