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"Media-ownership rules should be loosened to allow more consolidation and attract capital to the industry, representatives of the investment community said Tuesday at a Federal Communications Commission workshop on how the agency might change ownership rules later this year."

At an FCC workshop, industry representatives argue for relaxed media-ownership rules to allow more consolidation and to attract capital to the industry. FCC officials are looking at what the agency can do to improve the health of the newspapers, TV and radio stations, which continue to lose customers and advertising revenue to online competitors.

"The context of this decision is interesting, in that the issue arose in the restructuring of Nassau Broadcasting, where its creditors were to take a controlling position in the company in exchange for a release of some of the company's debt. However, the new ownership position of its creditors, where their interests became attributable for the first time, required multiple ownership reviews in several markets, as these same investors were owners, or holders of significant debt (triggering an EDP issue) in other companies holding radio or TV licenses in nearby markets."

Has the consumer been neglected in the panel debates about FCC media ownership issues?

"According to current Korean media law, foreigners cannot become chief executive officers or executive editors. The media ownership law also states that foreigners cannot own a majority share of any media outlet in Korea."

"It may be a bitter pill for public critics to swallow, but media outlets have to operate in the black to continue operating. Antiquated media ownership rules are going to have to be revised to reflect reality."

Article discussing the FCC's effort to help the trouble media business by relaxing the cross-ownership restrictions.

"The FCC Media Bureau said it would hold a media ownership workshop Feb. 23, 2010, at the South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C. The two-panel workshop, scheduled from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., will explore local television and radio marketplace issues as part of the commission's quadrennial review of its broadcast ownership rules."

PBS reporting on media ownership

PBS' 2003 reporting on media ownership

"The time is ripe for media vultures to make their move. In 2007, the court blocked the FCC's attempt to change the rules of ownership. Now it is reconsidering that decision. 'A three-judge panel of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, which had put the stay in effect…ordered the FCC and consumer groups to 'show cause' by mid January (2010) why the stay should not be dropped.'"

A look at media ownership in Kenya and current struggles with media regulation.

The Communication Commission of Kenya and Media Owners Association are currently fighting over the enforcement of new clausees restricting media cross ownership in Kenya

What impact does media consolidation have on creative programming? This blog post explores the impact of media ownership on programming and creative labor, with quotes from WGA President John Wells.

David Honig, Executive Director of the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, criticizes the rates of minority licensee ownership and suggests potential remedies.

"The academics said that there were plenty of studies out there indicating the importance of station ownership diversity when it comes to serving a diverse population. One noted that ownership for most business types does break down into percentages more in line with actual population makeup, with broadcasting being a notable exception to the rule."

"Halbreich describes the Sun-Times Media ownership group, which includes Chicago Blackhawks owner and liquor distributor Rocky Wirtz, as "entrepreneurial" and "closer to the business" than previous directors. "They've got great ideas," Halbreich said. "Also (they have) local contacts with major advertisers. We have board members who know folks really well. They pick up the phone, they call someone and the next day Barb Swanson, our senior VP for advertising, is sitting in the office talking about marketing opportunities.""

"Media-ownership rules should be loosened to allow more consolidation and attract capital to the industry, representatives of the investment community said Tuesday at a Federal Communications Commission workshop on how the agency might change ownership rules later this year."

Two dozen minority interest groups sign letter to FCC Chariman advocating for changes in FCC policy to promote media diversity. Details declines in minority radio ownership and includes several policy suggestions.

Public hearings about media consolidation nearing the end of the Bush Regime in Seattle, Washington. The public was given rather short notice before the hearing, effectively preventing them to be an effective force in the hearings.

"Explores the impact of media consolidation on news content and youth as both media producers and consumers. (10 minute version.)"

""Over the past several decades, our industry has consolidated from literally dozens of independent entrepreneurs and suppliers, including many writer-owners making innovative and groundbreaking programming to a handful of large media conglomerates most often controlling content from start to finish," Wells said. The result, he said, is that decisions on which shows go on television are based more often on money than quality. "