*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 30635* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov 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). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media contact: August 20, 2003 David Fiske (202) 418- 0513 FCC CHAIRMAN POWELL LAUNCHES “LOCALISM IN BROADCASTING” INITIATIVE Agency Actions Are Both Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell today announced a series of initiatives to enhance localism among radio and television broadcasters. Powell said, “This past June, the Commission completed the most comprehensive review of its structural broadcast ownership rules in history. This twenty month study produced a balanced set of structural rules, faithful to the directives of Congress and the courts, to promote and protect diversity, competition and localism in the 21 st Century broadcast media marketplace.” “Our exhaustive ownership review demonstrated that the United States’ boasts the most diverse media marketplace in the world and is by no means concentrated and the rules adopted in that proceeding are well- designed to prevent any media company from having excess power over competition or viewpoints. During the proceeding and in the months that followed, however, we heard the voice of public concern about the media loud and clear. Localism is at the core of these concerns,” Powell said, “and we are going to tackle it head on.” Powell continued: “It is important to understand that ownership rules have always been, at best, imprecise tools for achieving policy goals like localism. That is why the FCC has historically sought more direct ways of promoting localism in broadcasting. These include things such as public interest obligations, license renewals, and protecting the rights of local stations to make programming decisions for their communities.” “The Senate Commerce Committee recently held hearings and brought greater attention to the issue of localism in broadcasting. I applaud the Committee’s efforts and hope to work in concert with them and the many Members of Congress who support localism,” said Powell. “Toward that end, the Localism Task Force will advise the Commission on steps it can take and, if warranted, will make legislative recommendations to Congress that 1