Media Reform Groups Speak Out Against FCC “Scandal”

Press Release from Free Press and the Future of Music Coalition:

Second Secret Study Surfaces at FCC

Whistleblower leaks radio ownership report buried under Powell administration

” A Federal Communications Commission study on the negative impacts of radio consolidation came to light Monday after being buried at the agency for at least two years. This was the second secret FCC study on media ownership to surface in as many weeks.

‘This is a scandal,’ said Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press. ‘Apparently, FCC officials are willing to deep-six any research that contradicts industry’s pro-consolidation claims. They can’t be trusted. There needs to be an independent investigation and a full review of all research conducted under the leadership of Michael Powell and Kevin Martin.’

The study, a ‘Review of the Radio Industry’ conducted by the FCC Media Bureau, found that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 had led to a drastic decline in the number of radio station owners — even as the actual number of commercial stations in the United States had increased.

A copy of the study is available at http://www.stopbigmedia.com/files/radio_ownership.pdf”

The press release is here.