WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Democrats and the Federal Communications Commission sparred over media ownership and what drives competition at a committee hearing.
Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee cautioned the Republican-controlled agency about relaxing the number of media outlets one company can own, the Washington Post said Friday. A federal court stayed a similar policy change the FCC tried in 2003. Recent FCC media ownership policies failed, said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., adding, "More concentration means less competition."
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who has ties to the Bush administration, defended the agency's actions, saying it made decisions "based on a fundamental belief that a robust, competitive marketplace, not regulation, is ultimately the greatest protector of the public interest."
Senators also pressed the FCC to rethink its regulations regarding public-interest broadcasting and television violence.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat, told the committee the FCC needs tougher license renewal requirements and more detailed descriptions of locally produced content that would serve "the public interest."
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called on the agency to pressure cable and broadcast outlets to reduce violence on television. "Commercial television is in the worst state I've ever seen," he said.
