Today we do the Dance of Joy.

In a lengthy decision of over 200 pages, the Third District Court today told the Federal Communications Commission that its attempts to further
deregulate the American media system are unjustified. The court determined that the FCC relied on “irrational assumptions and inconsistencies” in determining the new cross-ownership caps, and ordered them to make a new decision that takes seriously their duty to regulate media to preserve the public interest.

The court’s decision in this case requires the FCC to reverse its controversial June 2003 decision relaxing the regulation of ownership of the newspaper, television and radio industries. Judges faulted the FCC’s methodology in measuring concentration, and rejected the FCC’s argument ownership limits should be removed unless evidence could be shown to warrant their retention. With the burden of proof back on the FCC, consumers groups, parents, activist organizations, and even FCC Commissioner Michael Copps joined Prometheus in celebration of the Court’s decision. “The rush to media consolidation approved by the FCC last June was wrong as a matter of law and policy,” said Commissioner Copps in a released statement. “The commission has a second chance to do the right thing.”

Full text of the release is at: http://www.prometheusradio.org/release_june_24_third_district.doc

Want more?

PDFs from the FCC webite:

Chairman Powell Reacts to Third Circuit Media Ownership Decision.

and

Commissioner Copps Reacts To The Third Circuit’s Media Concentration Decision.

and

Commissioner Adelstein Expresses Strong Support For Recent
Congressional And Court Actions Regarding FCCís Media Ownership Decision.