On April 22, Media Access Project (MAP) President Andrew Jay Schwartzman was appointed by Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps to serve once again as member of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) newly reconstituted Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. Comprised of representatives of telcos, associations, broadcasting, and public interest groups, the Committee’s task will be to make recommendations to the Commission to promote the participation of minority and women in telecommunications and related industries.

Ownership and employment diversity in media has been a core objective for MAP throughout its existence. Over the years, MAP has been a leader in the fight to oppose media consolidation, and has represented civil rights, civil liberties, and religious organizations in this endeavor. In 1993, MAP was co-counsel to intervenors in successfully obtaining a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the FCC’s media ownership rules. More recently, MAP has represented citizens’ groups in opposition to the FCC’s attempt to relax ownership limits in broadcasting and cable.

Schwartzman has been integrally involved in the battle against consolidation. Most recently, he testified before the FCC in July 2008 on ways to promote minority investment in the mass media system.

“I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve on the Committee on Diversity,” Mr. Schwartzman said. “With leadership from President Obama and his Commission, I am confident that substantial changes will finally be made to enhance diversity in the nation’s media and telecommunications system, ” he said.

The Committee will hold its first meeting on May 7.

Read the FCC press release.

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Contact:

Kamilla Kovacs
Development and Communications Manager
Media Access Project
202-454-5685
kkovacs@mediaaccess.org