*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 25481.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: March 4, 2003 Jordan Goldstein (202) 418- 2000 FCC COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCE PUBLIC HEARING ON MEDIA CONCENTRATION Field Hearing Set for Friday, March 7 in Seattle, WA Washington, DC – Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein today announced the agenda for a field hearing on media ownership rules in Seattle, WA. The hearing will be held on Friday, March 7, 2003, from 9: 00 AM to 12: 30 PM, at The University of Washington Hub (Husky Union Building) Auditorium. The hearing will be organized into three panels: (1) the impact of media consolidation on news; (2) the impact of media consolidation on music and entertainment; and (3) the impact of media consolidation on localism. Panelists will be drawn from the Pacific Northwest to maximize local input on these critical issues – these panelists will include those from the recording industry, journalists, television and radio broadcasters, labor representatives, and others. Importantly, after the panels, there will be an opportunity for any member of the general public to make comments. The purpose of the hearing is to give those outside of Washington, DC, an opportunity to voice their opinions about media ownership issues. The FCC has asked the public to offer comments on how the agency can develop rules that provide citizens with viewpoints from a diversity of sources and enhance the marketplace of ideas. Commissioner Copps stated, “This is the biggest decision the FCC will make this year, and it will affect your television, radio, newspapers, cable TV, and Internet news and entertainment for years to come – and this is the Pacific Northwest’s only opportunity to speak directly to the decision makers. I hope everyone concerned will come make their voices heard.” “At stake in this proceeding are the rules that ensure the multiplicity of voices and viewpoints that undergird our marketplace of ideas and sustain our democracy,” Adelstein added. At issue is the FCC’s review of rules that seek to protect localism, competition, and diversity in the media. These rules, among other things, currently limit a single corporation from dominating local TV markets; from merging a community’s TV stations, radio stations, and newspaper; from merging two of the major TV networks; and from controlling more than 35% of all TV households in the nation. 1 The hearing is open to the public and seating will be available on a first- come, first-served basis. All interested persons are invited to attend. Interested members of the public may also participate in this proceeding by filing comments electronically using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) and ECFS Express at www. fcc. gov. - FCC - 2