Legislative Background
Recent Action on Media Ownership Rules
On June 2, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an order that modified five of its media ownership rules. The new rules were scheduled to take effect September 3. The announcement met with much public and congressional criticism, and resulted in the introduction of numerous bills to reverse various parts of the ruling. House Action On July 16, during consideration of H.R. 2799, the Commerce, Justice, State Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (which includes funding for the FCC), the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment sponsored by Representative David R. Obey (WI-D) relating to limits on ownership concentration…
