*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 29924* Federal Communications Commission FCC 03- 185 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS Re: Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming Section 628( g) of the Communications Act requires the Commission to report annually to Congress on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming. This Report serves as the factual foundation for many Commission decisions as well as providing Congress with statutorily- mandated information. It is therefore extremely important that we gather accurate and complete data for this Report. I am pleased that this year the Notice expressly seeks comment on such important issues as independently- produced programming, children’s programming, locally- produced programming, and non- English programming. We should harbor no illusion that we have asked every possible question, so I urge those who respond to provide information on aspects of these issues that we have overlooked. With the data sought by this Notice, we have the potential to increase our understanding of the market and gather the information we need to make better decisions. The key to a successful Report, however, will be the submission of detailed comments from a wide range of sources. As in past years, the Commission states that it intends to rely on publicly available data, filings in various Commission proceedings, and information submitted by commenters in response to this Notice of Inquiry. If these sources do not provide adequate information to meet our statutory obligations, I urge the Commission to undertake a more pro- active and comprehensive information gathering effort to obtain independent, verified data. Such an effort may be necessary to fulfill Congress’ directive. 1