Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., helped lead a group of 42 House Democrats in urging FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to delay a commission vote on media ownership rather than pushing for it by year-end.
The House members expressed concerns over further consolidation, what they say is the failure of the FCC to study media ownership issues thoroughly and the lack of adequate time for the public to submit comments on the proposed changes.
Also asking the FCC to slow down was AFTRA. The union Thursday said 2,100 e-mails from its members were sent to Congress to “stop the FCC from fast tracking the relaxation of media ownership regulations.”
NAB Radio Board Chairman Russ Withers said in a hearing this week the trade group seeks “reasonable” rules.