MEDIA OWNERSHIP REGULATIONS

In the courts: FCC action on TV ownership ceilings has been blocked, for an indefinite period, while the Third U.S. Circuit Court in Philadelphia considers a lawsuit challenging the FCC's June 2, 2003 media ownership decision. Oral arguments on the lawsuit, filed by MEDIA ACCESS PROJECT on behalf of the PROMETHEUS RADIO PROJECT, are scheduled to begin November 5, 2003.

At the FCC: Previous ceilings were loosened by an FCC decision, in Docket 02-277 and other related Dockets, on June 2, 2003. Since 2 TV broadcasters have already violated the existing TV ownership ceilings, some divestiture of TV stations may occur if the FCC's raising of the ceilings is overturned.

In the U.S. Senate: Previous ceilings would be restored by Senate Joint Resolution 17, introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), which was adopted by the Senate, 55-40. 5 U.S. Senators, including 3 of the 2004 Democratic presidential candidates, missed the vote: 4 of these 5 Senators were states supporters of the Resolution.

In the U.S. House of Representatives: Previous ceilings would be restored as part of an Appropriations bill that was passed by the House, 400-21.

At the White House: The White House staff has issued a statement that "President Bush's senior advisors will recommend a veto" of any legislation which restores any of the FCC's previous media in ownership ceilings.

MEDIA CROSS-OWNERSHIP

In the courts: FCC action to loosen previously applicable media cross-ownership ceilings has been blocked for an indefinite period, by the Circuit Court's Order to Stay.

At the FCC: Previous ceilings were loosened by the FCC's decision of June 2, 2003

In the U.S. Senate: Previous ceilings would be restored by Senate Joint Resolution 17, adopted by the Senate, 55-40.

In the U.S. House of Representatives: The house rejected, by 273-152, an Appropriations bill amendment to restore previous media cross-ownership ceilings: the amendment had been offered by Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY).

At the White House: The White House staff statement extends the veto threat to any restoration of the previous media cross-ownership ceilings.

RADIO OWNERSHIP

In the courts: FCC action on its minor changes has been blocked for an indefinite period, by the Circuit Court's Order to Stay.

At the FCC: Previous ceilings were kept in place by teh FCC, with minor changes.

In the U.S. Senate: The FCC's minor changes would be overturned if S.J. Res. 17 becomes law.

In the U.S. House of Representatives: The FCC's minor changes have not been voted upon by the House.

At the White House: It is unclear whether the White House staff's veto threat would apply to a legislative override of the FCC's minor changes.

LOW POWER FM CHANNEL SPACING REFORM

In the courts: There have been no known court filings as of September 21, 2003.

At the FCC: In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, filed by the AMHERST ALLIANCE and 18 other parties, the FCC finally released the long-overdue MITRE Corporation report on testing of alleged radio interference from LPFM radio stations. The report, released on July 10, 2003, concluded that moderately relaxed channel spacing standards for LPFM stations would generate "no significant interference" with other radio stations. The FCC is accepting Written Comments from the public about the MITRE report in FCC Docket 99-25 until October 14, 2003. Thereafter, the FCC will prepare and submit recommendations to Congress on the issue of LPFM channel spacing reform.

In the U.S. Senate: Hearings may be held by the Senate Commerce Committee in early 2004 - or possibly earlier.

In the U.S. House of Representatives: Hearings may be held in the House Energy & Commerce Committee in 2004 - or possibly earlier.

At the White House: There is no known White House position on LPFM as of September 21, 2003.