OPENING STATEMENT OF 
FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN
PUBLIC HEARING ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 9, 2007
(AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY)
Good afternoon.  Thank you for joining us today.
We began a comprehensive review of our rules governing media ownership in the summer of 
2006.  This hearing is the sixth in a series of six media ownership hearings the Commission 
intends to hold across the country.  Previous FCC public hearings in the current review of media 
ownership issues were held in Los Angeles, CA on October 3, 2006; Nashville, TN on December 
11, 2006; Harrisburg, PA on February 23, 2007; Tampa Bay, Florida on April 30, 2007; and 
Chicago, Illinois on September 20, 2007.  The goal of these hearings is to more fully and directly 
involve the American people in the process.  As I have said many times before, public input is 
critical to our process and will inform our thinking on these issues.  
The decisions we will make about our ownership rules will be as difficult as they are critical.  
The media touches almost every aspect of our lives.  We are dependent upon it for our news, our 
information and our entertainment. Indeed, the opportunity to express diverse viewpoints lies at 
the heart of our democracy.  A robust marketplace of ideas is by necessity one that reflects 
diverse perspectives and viewpoints.
Our media ownership rules are intended to further three core goals:  competition, diversity and 
localism. Many who have commented in this proceeding, including at hearings such as this one, 
express significant concern about increased consolidation and preservation of diversity in the 
media. And I anticipate hearing more about this from many of you tonight.
Also critical to our review of the media ownership rules is exploring and understanding the 
competitive realities of today’s media marketplace. Some of our rules have not been updated for 
years and may no longer reflect the current marketplace. Indeed, the Third Circuit recognized 
this fact when it upheld the Commission's elimination of the newspaper/broadcast cross-
ownership ban.  It is our task to respond to the court by ensuring that our ownership rules take 
into account the competitive environment in which media companies operate as well as ensuring 
we continue to promote localism and diversity.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights on the subject of our media ownership rules.  
Thank you for your participation today.
-FCC -