In December 2007, the FCC approved a new rule that would end the 32-year ban on radio and TV broadcasters owning newspapers in America's top 20 markets. It would also make it easer for the FCC to waive ownership rules in all markets.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers filed a measure to nullify this controversial ruling. The House Commerce Committee version of the "legislative veto" filed by five congressmen on March 13 is a companion to a similar "resolution of disapproval" introduced in Senate earlier this month.
U.S. Representative Jay Inslee, the resolution's prime sponsor and a member of the House Commerce Committee, explains that " 'consolidation already has brought us to the point where two companies control 70 percent of market revenue in an average radio market.' " He adds that " 'we need to use every tool available to prevent further weakening of media ownership rules.' "
A report by the General Accountability Office (GAO) found that only about 9% of the FCC's completed investigations resulted in enforcement action, while 83% resulted in no enforcement. The GAO could not determine why the investigations were closed without action because the FCC does not collect these data. A chairman of the House has launched an investigation into FCC practices.
Source: Adweek, 03/14/2008