OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
January 13,2010
The Honorable John F. Kerry
Chairman
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
United States Senate
218 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Kerry:
Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's 2010 Quadrennial Review ofits
media ownership rules and policies. Specifically, you request that the Commission examine the
effect that media consolidation may have on program diversity and consumer choice.
I understand your concerns regarding the impact that ownership consolidation may have
on the quantity and quality ofnews and other programming offered by local television broadcast
stations. As you may know, the Commission recently commenced the 2010 Quadrennial Review
ofits media ownership rules with a series ofworkshops to receive public input from a broad
range ofinterested parties on the scope and methodology for the ownership proceeding. The
information provided at these workshops will help determine the issues and questions the
Commission should consider in the 2010 Quadrennial Review, and how best to collect the data
needed to address these matters. Interested persons also were invited to submit comments to the
Commission concerning the topics discussed at the workshops. The Commission intends to
conduct additional workshops during the Review, in addition to the formal administrative
proceeding.
I anticipate that the issues related to the effect ofconsolidation on localism, diversity, and
competition will be addressed in the context ofthe Commission's 2010 Quadrennial Review
proceeding. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with us on these issues. We will include
your letter in the record for the proceeding.
I look forward to working with you and other Members of Congress as the Commission
reviews its broadcast media ownership rules and policies. IfI can be of further assistance, please
do not hesitate to contact me.
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
January 13,2010
The Honorable Charles E. Grassley
United States Senate
135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Grassley:
Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's 2010 Quadrennial Review ofits
media ownership rules and policies. Specifically, you request that the Commission examine the
effect that media consolidation may have on program diversity and consumer choice.
I understand your concerns regarding the impact that ownership consolidation may have
on the quantity and quality ofnews and other programming offered by local television broadcast
stations. As you may know, the Commission recently commenced the 2010 Quadrennial Review
ofits media ownership rules with a series ofworkshops to receive public input from a broad
range of interested parties on the scope and methodology for the ownership proceeding. The
information provided at these workshops will help determine the issues and questions the
Commission should consider in the 2010 Quadrennial Review, and how best to collect the data
needed to address these matters. Interested persons also were invited to submit comments to the
Commission concerning the topics discussed at the workshops. The Commission intends to
conduct additional workshops during the Review, in addition to the formal administrative
proceeding.
I anticipate that the issues related to the effect ofconsolidation on localism, diversity, and
competition will be addressed in the context ofthe Commission's 2010 Quadrennial Review
proceeding. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with us on these issues. We will include
your letter in the record for the proceeding.
I look forward to working with you and other Members of Congress as the Commission
reviews its broadcast media ownership rules and policies. IfI can be offurther assistance, please
do not hesitate to contact me.