Urge President Bush to Veto Legislation that would be Harmful to the Continuation of Free, Over-the-Air Television Broadcasting in Rural Areas!

09/11/2003

• On June 2, 2003, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enacted new national television ownership regulations to moderately increase the number local television stations that broadcast networks may own. This change will be benefit rural communities who rely on free, over-the-air TV because they generally lack adequate access to pay TV platforms.
• The House voted overwhelmingly in July to block the FCC and the Senate is to vote this week on a resolution of disapproval for the rules changes, a seldom-used maneuver also called a "congressional veto."
• Please, urge President Bush to support continued access to quality free over the air television for rural Americans and veto any legislation that would reinstate the current media ownership regulations on the major networks through the appropriations process.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on June 2, 2003, adopted new broadcast ownership rules that increase the national television cap applied to the major networks from 35% to 45% of national market share. Since rural communities generally suffer the lack of the adequate access to pay TV platforms the National Grange believes that the action of the FCC will benefit rural America. While only 15% of the nation's households do not subscribe or have access to pay TV services, rural Americans rely disproportionately on free TV, for vital information, including weather, emergency situations, local and national news, as well as entertainment programming. The pay TV industry, which has been growing rapidly in urban and suburban communities, currently covers less than 30 percent of all local markets with fewer than 85,000 homes.

Click here to read the FCC's news release on 06/02/03

The FCC's decision to raise the network ownership caps enhances the ability of the free, over-the-air broadcast industry to serve the interests of rural residents without creating additional regulatory or commercial burdens on the pay TV industry.

However, the Congress opposes the FCC's action accusing it of a special benefit for the giant broadcast corporations. By a 400-21 vote, the House approved a spending bill with language blocking a FCC's decision to let companies own TV stations serving up to 45 percent of the country's viewers. The Senate is also expected to vote this week on a resolution of disapproval for the FCC's decision.

Click here to review H.R. 2052, FCC Media Ownership Bill
Click here to review S. 1046, FCC Media Ownership Bill

The National Grange opposes the Congress' efforts to reverse the FCC's decision. The FCC made its decision based on the evidence submitted into a public record on this issue. The National Grange submitted extensive testimony to the FCC on this issue in support of strengthening free, over the air television. Congress has not invited any of the rural advocacy organizations who participated in the regulatory hearing process to give their side of this issue in testimony before a congressional committee. The Legislative Director of National Grange, Leroy Watson has sent President Bush a letter urging him to veto any legislation that would reinstate the current ownership caps on the major networks through the appropriations process.

Click here to read the testimony to the FCC by National Grange
Click here to read the letter sent to President Bush by National Grange

Action Plan --- Please contact President Bush to urge him to VETO any legislation that is harmful to the continuation of free, over-the-air television broadcasting in rural areas!

George W. Bush, President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone: 202-456-1111 (Comments)
Phone: 202-456-1414 (Switchboard)
Fax: 202-456-2461
Email: president@whitehouse.gov

If you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst Chil-Sook Hwang by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program.

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