Res. No. 913 Title Resolution calling upon the Federal Communications Commission not to weaken any current media ownership rules that protect people's access to diverse services and information; examine and better inform the general public regarding the consequences of weakening current media ownership rules, particularly the increased level of media consolidation and concentration that will likely occur; and to delay its upcoming June 2nd vote on proposed changes to current media ownership rules and to allow for extensive public review and additional comment before issuing a final rule. Body By Council Members Rivera, Comrie, Gerson, Jennings, Katz, Liu, Lopez, McMahon, Nelson, Quinn, Reed, Sanders, Vann, Jackson, Brewer and The Speaker (Council Member Miller) Whereas, Chairman Michael Powell of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") has announced that on June 2, 2003, the FCC will vote to revise current media ownership regulations as part of its Biennial Regulatory Review; and Whereas, The changes to media ownership rules under consideration will affect Newspaper-Broadcast Concentration, National TV Concentration, TV Duopoly Protection, Multiple-Network Concentration, Radio-TV Concentration, and Local Radio Concentration; and Whereas, The FCC has held one official hearing on this matter in Richmond, Virginia, on February 27, 2003; and Whereas, FCC Chairman Powell has announced that the Commission will vote on a final rule revising media ownership regulations without first allowing for a public review and comment period on any proposed changes; and Whereas, Changes to these rules will impact every person's access to diverse sources information; and Whereas, Over the past two decades, many rules designed to enhance diversity, competition and localism have been weakened resulting in unprecedented consolidation of media sources and the virtual disappearance of "independent voices"; and Whereas, Minority owners' share of the commercial television market is even more distressing. As large conglomerates continued to consolidate ownership of television stations throughout the 1990s, only 23 full power commercial television stations were owned by minorities at the end of the decade, representing only 1.9 percent of the country's 1,288 licensed stations. That level is the lowest since the tracking of such data began. In addition, since most minority owners are primary single-station operators, they face additional difficulty in competing against large group owners; and Whereas, Access to diverse sources of information is necessary to maintain the informed citizenry needed for a functioning democracy; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the FCC not to weaken any current media ownership rules that protect people's access to diverse sources of information; and examine and better inform the general public regarding the consequences of weakening current media ownership rules, particularly the increased level of media consolidation and concentration that will likely occur; and, be it further Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the FCC to delay its upcoming June 2nd vote on proposed changes to current media ownership rules to allow for extensive public review and additional comment before issuing a final rule. JD:et - 2 -