FCC to Scrutinize License Renewals
WASHINGTON — Emboldened by their success in stalling relaxed media-ownership rules, opponents of consolidation are gearing up a campaign to block some television and radio stations from renewing their licenses by arguing that the broadcasters aren't serving their local communities.
Similar efforts have largely failed over the last 20 years as the Federal Communications Commission simplified its license renewal process and lifted public interest requirements that once set aside airtime for educational or public affairs programming.
But the controversy over the FCC's vote on June 2 to ease long-standing limits on media consolidation has energized a coalition of government officials and media watchdog groups.
FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps, a Democrat who has led the charge against media consolidation, as early as this week will announce the first of what he hopes will be a series of hearings nationwide to collect data and opinions about specific broadcasters. The resulting record would be used as evidence to challenge licenses when they come before the FCC for renewal.
"We've strayed too far away from the rigorous licensing process that we used to have," Copps said. "Now, unless you're a wife beater or a child molester or something like that, you can pretty much count on getting your license by just filing some papers."
Last week, a Ralph Nader-backed group petitioned the FCC to block renewal of 63 radio stations owned by Clear Channel Communications Inc., accusing the radio chain of running deceptive contests and airing indecent material.
Other media watchdog groups are preparing similar challenges against stations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, where a next wave of FCC licenses come up for renewal in December. Copps said he would hold his first hearing in late October in North Carolina.
Industry lobbyists dismissed the campaign as grandstanding and media bashing.
"We believe they are specious claims and an abuse of the regulatory process," Clear Channel lobbyist Andrew Levin said of the petition by Nader's group, Essential Information. "You have to question Ralph Nader's motives: Is he really concerned about our local radio stations or about his own national political aspirations?"
