FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
April 22,2013
<JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable John D. Dingell
U.S. House of Representative
2328 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Dingell:
Thank. you for your recent letter on the pending broadcast ownership quadrennial review.
I appreciate hearing your views about these important issues before the Commission. As the
Commission conducts its review, promoting diversity of ownership is one of a small number of
pmiicularly critical goals, along with guarding against excessive media consolidation, enabling
robust local news for all communities, and fostering economic growth and opportunity.
The growth of the Internet is changing the media landscape, including the economics of
local newspapers and broadcasters. At the same time, while broadband adoption is increasing,
tens of millions of Americans do not yet have ready access to news and other content available
on the Internet, and changes in ownership rules may have different effects on those with or
without Internet access.
With this in mind, earlier in the Commission's review of its broadcast ownership rules, I
circulated a draft order for my colleagues' consideration that would primarily preserve existing
ownership rules while proposing steps to promote media diversity and modest reforms that could
help strengthen local journalism. I proposed to (1) keep the bulk of existing broadcast ownership
rules in place, including the rules limiting the number ofTY and radio stations that can be co­
owned in any market, and the rules prohibiting ownership of more than one major broadcast
network; (2) provide various diversity-promoting broadcast opportunities for small businesses
and proceed with studies to determine whether additional measures can be taken in the next
quadrennial review to promote minority ownership; (3) retain the rule prohibiting TY-newspaper
combinations, while providing greater transparency and predictability on waivers. in a way that
would strengthen the bar again t major TV station-newspaper combinations. and reduce the bar
to smaller TV station-newspaper combinations in the top 20 markets; and (4) remove the bar on
cross-ownership of radio stations and newspapers. Circulation of the proposed order has led to
healthy discussions among Commissioners and stakeholders about the substance of the issues
and the state of the record before the agency.
The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council informed us that their study would
be conveyed soon, after which MMTC suggests that the agency solicit public input, to be
followed by a Commission vote. In this heavily-litigated area where a strong record is
particularly important, I believe this is a sensible approach to moving forward. Also, as you
445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000. -..JG@FCC.GOV
Page 2-The Honorable John D. Dingell
suggest, the study addresses an issue of importance, will augment the record, and will assist the
Commission in resolving the issues before it on the full record.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if! can be of any further
assistance.
Julius Genachowski