MAP Expresses Satisfaction at FCC’s Adoption of Cable Ownership Rules
December 18, 2007 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO of Media Access Project, issued the following statement concerning today’s FCC decision to impose a 30% ownership cap on national cable ownership:
“We’ve been waiting a long time for these rules. The large cable companies already exercise excessive market power, which has resulted in high prices, lousy customer service and lots of copy cat programming. Making sure they can’t grow even bigger will enable competitors to get off the ground.”
Read the press release
MAP: FCC Caves into Media Giants on Broadcast Ownership Rules
December 18, 2007 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO of Media Access Project, issued the following statement concerning today’s FCC decision substantially relaxing rules limiting common ownership of newspapers and broadcast properties in the same city:
“Today’s action is far more radical, and much more outrageous, than what Chairman Martin proposed just a few weeks ago. He has caved in to lobbying from the media giants, giving a pass to them so they can retain TV and radio stations that they were supposed to have divested months and years ago. And he is even giving Rupert Murdoch a new crack at keeping two huge TV stations in New York, despite his acquisition of the Wall Street Journal.”
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MAP and Prometheus: Martin Newspaper Proposal Will Hurt Minority Ownership
December 11, 2007 On behalf of Prometheus Radio Project, Media Access Project filed comments with the FCC regarding Chairman Martin's plan to repeal the newspaper cross-ownership ban in the 20 largest markets. As the comments provide:
Nearly half of the TV stations owned by people of color are in the top 20 markets, and not one of them is in the top four of their markets. Thus, almost every one of those stations will be in the cross-hairs as potential acquisition targets. The dearth of minority ownership will be even worse if the FCC ultimately votes to go further than the Chairman’s current plan.
Read the comments
MAP President Testifies Before House on Media Ownership
December 5, 2007 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet regarding Chairman Martin's proposal to repeal the newspaper cross-ownership ban. Allowing for the cross-ownership of a local newspaper and broadcast station would reduce the diversity of voices in a local market and result in a market wide diminution of the total amount of local news available to the public. Cross-ownership crowds out competition, resulting in the public receiving less, and lower quality, service.
Read the testimony
MAP Pleased with Cable Leased Access Reforms, Disappointed 70/70 Finding Not Resolved
November 28, 2007 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO, and Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project, issued the following statement regarding the FCC’s decision on cable leased access and “70/70:”
“At the end of the day, literally and figuratively, the cable industry's mighty lobbying machine could not entirely stop Chairman Martin's commendable effort to introduce competition to the pay-TV industry. The new leased access rules offer the hope of vastly increased diversity in cable programming sources. And, since it has long argued that the FCC should collect its own data rather than relying on private sources, MAP could hardly quarrel with the FCC's long over due determination to do just that. However, MAP believes that even the existing data strongly support a “70/70” finding, and there is no need to await further data collection before making that declaration.”
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MAP Secures Big Win for LPFM
November 28, 2007 Last night the Federal Communications Commission adopted measures that: (1) could allow for more low power FM radio stations to enter the market and (2) save LPFM stations that are threatened from being knocked off the air by a full power station. Parul Desai, Associate Director of Media Access Project, issued the following statement in response to the Commission's action:
"LPFM advocates have waited a long time for the Commission to act on expanding and preserving the LPFM service. The Commission's action goes a long way in doing just that. Chairman Martin rarely agrees with us, but he was willing to listen, and to work with us to get a fine result. He should be congratulated for recognizing the critical service that LPFM stations provide to the needs of local communities and taking the necessary steps that will help bring more LPFM radio stations to communities throughout the country."
Read the press release
MAP Reacts to Verizon's Open Platform Announcement
November 27, 2007 Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of the Media Access Project, issued the following statement in response to Verizon's open platform announcement:
"This is surely a step in the right direction, but its shortcomings underscore the need for regulations to guarantee Americans the same rights on wireless networks that they have on landlines. Without the certainty that comes from making open platforms a right, rather than a privilege at the mercy of a provider's business plan, innovation and choice in the wireless world will continue to lag behind Europe and Asia."
Read the press release
Churches, Civil Rights Organizations, Demand FCC Recognize Cable Power
November 20, 2007 Media Access Project filed a letter on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition demanding that the FCC recognize that the Congressional "70/70" measurement of cable market power has been met. The excessive power of cable operators over programming has squeezed out independent minority and religious programming. Instead of allowing cable to confuse the issue by pretending this is about a la carte, the FCC must remain focused on recognizing cable market power and creating new opportunities for independent minority and religious programming.
Read the letter
Read the press release
MAP Refutes Industry Claims Regarding 70/70 Threshold
November 16, 2007 In a letter to Commissioners Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert M. McDowell, MAP responded to claims by the NCTA of the arbitrariness of data indicating that cable penetration has reached the 70/70 threshold. NCTA and the cable industry have consistently withheld subscriber data, leading industry publishers such as Warren, Kagan, and Nielsen to underreport the number of cable systems and cable subscribers. Cable penetration passed the 70/70 threshold as early as 2005, and a new analysis completed by MAP, places cable penetration as high as 77%.
Read the letter
MAP Reacts to DEs Order for Upcoming 700MHz Auction
November 16, 2007 Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of the Media Access Project, issued the following statement in response the to FCC's release last night of an Order with regard to the upcoming 700 MHz auction modifying the designated entity (DE) credit rules to permit DEs to offer more than 51% of capacity for leasing for the D Block license only:
"We are pleased that the Commission recognized the importance of encouraging a wholesale model by granting limited DE relief. The limitation on leasing capacity adopted last year to discourage the use of "sham" DEs remains an important protection against previously well documented abuses, and the limited relief granted given the unique circumstances of the D Block will serve the public interest without compromising this necessary safeguard."
Read the press release
MAP, Free Press and Public Knowledge Press FCC to Stop Comcast's Internet Blocking
November 1, 2007
Responding to Comcast's blocking of Internet traffic, members of the SavetheInternet.com Coalition and Internet scholars at the nation's top law schools today filed a petition and complaint with the Federal Communications Commission. MAP Senior Vice President, Harold Feld had the following comment:
"Last year, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and opponents of Net Neutrality told Congress that the FCC has all the authority it needs to prevent exactly this sort of customer abuse by a major provider. Now we come to the acid test. Will the FCC, which vowed to protect our freedom to run the applications of our choice, stand up for citizens in the face of Comcast?"
Read the press release
Read the petition for declaratory ruling
Read the formal complaint
MAP President Testifies Before FCC Localism Hearing
October 31, 2007 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President and CEO of Media Access Project (MAP) testified before the FCC hearing on localism in broadcast media. Mr. Schwartzman implored the Commission to address localism through ensuring broadcasters provide locally originated and produced programming that addresses the needs, tastes, and interests of the local community. As he notes:
"Effective local service requires institutional and personal attachments to the community. It requires a diverse workforce that is capable of conveying the many different perspectives found in each community. There is no way to document the qualitative impact of having a station operated locally by individuals citizens who live in the community and expect to remain there."
Read the entire testimony
More information about hearing
MAP Reacts to Cable Franchise Decision
October 31, 2007 Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project (MAP) issued the following statement regarding the FCC's actions on cable franchising and exclusive contracts:
"Today, the FCC gives to the American people with one hand, but takes back with the other. Ending exclusive contracts for cable services will ensure that all Americans can enjoy the benefits of choice, such as lower prices and better service, wherever they live. But preempting local franchising authority will deprive the public of the best way to guarantee that cable providers and competitors meet the needs of their local communities. Local franchising authorities provided a needed local advocate and counterweight against the power of these multi-billion dollar companies, who all too frequently ignore the needs of individual citizens or even whole neighborhoods of less "desirable" customers.”
Read the press release
MAP Reacts to Comcast's Net Neutrality Violation
October 19, 2007 Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project (MAP), issued the following statement about reports that Comcast is interfering with customers' content data uploads:
"When a broadband provider can deliberately disrupt traffic without telling subscribers, no one's content is safe. Comcast's actions to target Bit Torrent traffic without telling customers interferes with the many legitimate users who pay extra for broadband connections so they can move large files they have every legal right to send." "Comcast is fond of saying that network neutrality is 'a solution in search of a problem.' Today's revelation makes it clear that there is, indeed, a real problem. Fortunately, we have a solution -- it's called Network Neutrality."
Read more
MAP Presses FCC on Minority and Independent Programmer Access to Cable
October 15, 2007 Media Access Project filed reply comments in the FCC's leased access proceeding, highlighting the abusive practices carried out by cable operators to discourage use of leased access programming. Congress established the cable leased access program to promote diversity of programming and encourage vigorous competition in the video programming market. Although cable operators claim the leased access program is working, a MAP economic analysis by Dr. Gregory Rose demonstrates that operators are charging access rates well above what Congress intended, inhibiting minority and independent programmers from utilizing the program. MAP called upon the Commission to make substantial changes to the existing rules and provide independent programmers with affordable access to cable viewers.
Read the reply comments
Read the study
MAP and PISC Urge FCC to Protect Competition in 700MHz Auction
September 24, 2007 Together with the Ad Hoc Public Interest Spectrum Coalition, Media Access Project filed a Petition for Reconsideration urging the FCC to maximize the potential for regional and national competition in the upcoming auction by preventing a bidder from owning licenses in both the C and D block of the spectrum. The filing also asks the Commission to clarify language in the auction rules, so that a conspiracy to block bidders from winning a license constitutes a violation of the anti-collusion rules.
Read the petition
MAP Pushes to Improve Cable Access for Independent Programmers
September 11, 2007 On behalf of a diverse coalition of artist, media reform, religious, and public interest groups, including the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture, Media Access Project filed comments urging the Commission to reform its cable leased access program and provide independent programmers a legitimate opportunity to reach cable viewers. Through stonewalling, price gouging and other means, cable operators have discouraged use of the cable leased access program, stifling what was supposed to be a meaningful outlet for diverse, local, ethnic, and regional programming. The program changes MAP is proposing include:
- Adopting rules that make the leased access process more transparent, affordable, and easy to use, including modification of rates to reflect real costs rather than hypothetical costs, elimination of extraneous fees, and the creation of price sheets available in public files and on request.
- Allowing programmers to select the tier of their choice and to be secure in their channel placement and have access to new technologies such as video guides and DVR's.
- Reforming the Commission's access complaint and carriage complaint process including making arbitration available, permitting discovery, imposing a time limit for making decisions, and imposing significant forfeitures on cable operators who repeatedly fail to comply with leased access regulations.
Read the comments
MAP Supports FCC Application Limit in NCE FM Filing Window
September 6, 2007 On behalf of a diverse coalition of groups, including Prometheus Radio Project, Free Press, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Media Access Project filed comments with the FCC supporting a 10 application limit on the upcoming NCE FM filing window. A limit would help to prevent overburdening the Commissions resources and discourage speculation that would inhibit minority and local applicants from securing NCE licenses.
Read the comments
MAP Critical of DOJ Net Neutrality Filing
September 6, 2007 Media Access Project's Senior Vice President Harold Feld issued the following statement in response to the Department of Justice's filed comments with the FCC regarding "network neutrality:"
“It would seem that the President and the Justice Department cannot do enough for AT&T and the other companies that agreed to spy on the American people. Without network neutrality, companies are free to turn over user information without a warrant or block users from desired content — as AT&T recently did ‘accidentally’ by blocking Pearl Jam’s criticism of the President during a concert performance carried on AT&T’s broadband service.”
Read the press release
MAP and PISC Call For Changes to National Broadband Application
August 28, 2007 MAP and the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) filed ex parte comments raising concerns about M2Z's application to provide free wireless service on a national basis. Though MAP and PISC believe M2Z's application could provide significant benefits to the American people, the proposed license conditions do not adequately ensure that M2Z would operate under open device rules or network neutrality rules of sufficient stringency to confer the full
benefits of innovation and free expression to the public.
Read the comments
MAP Urges Congress to Support White Spaces
August 24, 2007 Together with Free Press and the New America Foundation, Media Access Project sent a letter to members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee urging them to ignore broadcaster spin on the FCC's 'White Spaces' experiments. Broadcasters have made exaggerated claims that recent testing of white-spaces devices reveal that such devices would “permanently” undermine over-the-air television by imposing an “unacceptable risk” of harmful interference. In fact the testing clearly confirmed that current technologies can detect TV broadcast signals and operate on vacant TV channels at strength levels well below what is necessary to protect television reception.
Read the letter
MAP and NAF Urge More Testing for White-Spaces Devices
August 15, 2007 In a filing with the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, Media Access Project and the New America Foundation commended an initial report demonstrating the viability of white-space devices to detect vacant TV channels without causing harmful interference to over-the-air television viewers or wireless microphone systems. Although MAP and NAF are encouraged by the results, they caution technical rules should be delayed until more comprehensive testing can be completed.
Read the comments
MAP Files Reply Comments in Home Shopping Proceeding
August 2, 2007 On behalf of the Campaign Legal Center, Benton Foundation, New America Foundation, Common Cause, and the UCC, Media Access Project filed reply comments urging the Commission to asses the benefits of home shopping stations based upon the current factual information and not upon the record as it existed in 1993.
Read the reply comments
700MHz Auction: One Step Forward; Much Left for the Future
July 31, 2007 Media Access Project (MAP) Senior Vice President Harold Feld issued the following statement in response to today’s FCC decision on the upcoming spectrum auction:
“Whatever else can be said about today’s vote, Chairman Martin deserves credit for starting a national debate about the future of broadband and wireless services. Consumers also acknowledged the heroic efforts of Democratic Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein to obtain ‘wholesale open access’ in the face of vigorous opposition from some of the most powerful companies in the country.”
Read the press release
MAP Files Comments in Home Shopping Proceeding
July 18, 2007 On behalf of the Campaign Legal Center, Benton Foundation, New America Foundation, Common Cause, and the UCC, Media Access Project filed comments in the recently resurrected FCC proceeding examining over-the-air home shopping television stations. The comments argue that the stations do not satisfy the public interest standard under which the Commission determines whether to award broadcast licenses.
Read the comments
MAP Files Opposition to XM/Sirius Merger
July 9, 2007 On behalf of the Prometheus Radio Project and the U.S. PIRG, Media Access Project filed an informal opposition with the FCC regarding the proposed merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. The opposition argues that the merger would violate antirust law standards, undermine the FCC's policies and goals of maintaining a diversity of voices, negatively impact un-served and under served communities, and limit content providers ability to get on the air.
Read the informal objection
MAP Responds to Critics of PISC Wireless Proposal
July 6, 2007 On behalf of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC), Media Access Project filed reply comments with the FCC, responding to criticism of the the coalition's proposal to promote wireless broadband competition in the upcoming 700 MHz auction. The comments point out that those opposed to PISC's open access conditions have provided no data to substantiate claims of the difficulty of its implementation. In addition, incumbent spectrum bidders have provided little substantive arguments to rebut the academic literature that supports anonymous bidding nor respond to MAP's blocking and collusion studies.
Read the reply comments
MAP Challenges Tribune Sale
June 11, 2007 On behalf of the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ and Media Alliance, Media Access Project and the Institute for Public Representation filed a Petition to Deny with the FCC, challenging the sale of Tribune Company. The petition argues that several of Tribune's television licenses have expired and should not be granted a waiver as they continue to violate the FCC's ban on cross-ownership of a newspaper and television station in the same market.
Read the petition
MAP Commends 3650-3700 MHz Order
June 7, 2007 Harold Feld, Senior Vice President, Media Access Project, had the following statement in response to the FCC's Order on Wireless Operation in the 3650-3700 MHz Band, OET Docket No. 04-151:
“While important, today's action is only a small step toward addressing our overall need for policies that make open wireless available to everyone. Hopefully, it signals an willingness by this Commission to move forward on more significant proposals to open more spectrum for non-interfering uses rather than requiring Americans to access the public airwaves through a handful of licensed gatekeepers offering carefully controlled walled gardens under the guise of internet access."
Read the press release
Read the order
MAP Pleased with Indecency Decision
June 4, 2007 Media Access Project's President and CEO Andrew Jay Schwartzman issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals decision to invalidate the FCC's ramped up enforcement policies for "indecent speech:"
“Score one for the First Amendment. It’s a shame that citizens and broadcasters had to seek protection from the courts, but it is very reassuring to know that one branch of the government can rise above demagogy.”
MAP
represented the Center for Creative Voices in Media (CCV) as intervenors in the Fox v. FCC case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Read the press release
Read the decision
MAP Calls on FCC to Promote Wireless Broadband Competition
May 23, 2007 Together with the Ad Hoc Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC), MAP filed comments recommending the Commission take steps to ensure new spectrum offerings promote competition in the wireless market and provide consumers with a viable broadband alternative to wireline access such as DSL and cable. The policy recommendations of the PISC include:
- Anonymous Bidding: Anonymous bidding in spectrum auctions will prevent bidders from using signaling and blocking techniques to deter new entrants.
- Build-Out Requirements: "Use or lose" requirements will help to prevent license holders from leaving rural areas un-served and intentionally warehousing spectrum to prevent competition.
- Open Access: At least 30 MHz of spectrum licenses in the upcoming 700 MHz auction should include commitments to make wholesale service available to any provider, allowing new entrants an opportunity to enter the market.
- Net Neutrality: Licensees of the 60 MHz spectrum must be required to carry all Internet and voice traffic without privilege, degradation, or preference, and they must permit consumers to use any non-interfering wireless equipment.
Read the comments
MAP Joins with Coalition Urging Choices for Cellphone Users
April 30, 2007 MAP joined together with the Ad Hoc Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) in urging the FCC to prevent wireless providers from forcing consumers to purchase cellphones and other equipment directly from them. The Coalition's comments support a petition filed by Skype, that calls for the adoption of non-discrimination principles that would allow consumers to access wireless services with a cellphone of their choice. The coalition also asked the FCC to adopt further non-discrimination requirements that prevent wireless providers from blocking consumer access to certain advanced wireless internet features, internet applications and content.
Read the comments
MAP Releases Two Studies Proving Anti-Competitive Behavior in AWS Auction
April 23, 2007 Media Access Project released two studies by Dr. Gregory Rose analyzing the “advanced wireless services,” or AWS-1, Auction conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in August and September 2006. The studies showed:
- Cable operators, AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, and others deliberately and successfully blocked DIRECTV and EchoStar and other potentially “disruptive” new entrants from winning licenses.
- Some bidders used “signaling,” particularly a practice called “retaliatory bidding,” to divide licenses among themselves and reduce the price they paid for licenses. Bidders that used retaliatory bidding paid, on average, 41% less for their licenses than bidders that did not use retaliatory bidding.
As Dr. Rose explains, the AWS auction had a significant number of bidders that did not bid, or bid only once. It is hard to escape the conclusion that incumbents “gamed” the rules to make sure that the FCC used open bidding rather than anonymous bidding. Dr. Rose concludes that only adoption of anonymous bidding can solve the blocking and signaling problems.
Read the press release
Read the blocking study
Read the tacit collusion study
MAP Reacts to Tribune Sale Announcement
April 2, 2007 Media Access Project's President and CEO Andrew Jay Schwartzman issued the following statement in response to Tribune's Announcement of its proposed sale to Sam Zell:
"Tribune has made another bad choice. Seven years ago, it bet that it could change FCC ownership rules to hold on to its co-located newspapers and TV stations (in Ft. Lauderdale, Hartford, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). It lost that gamble when citizens groups successfully opposed repeal of those policies."
Read the press release
MAP Wants Conditions on News Corp. License Transfers
March 23, 2007 In a joint filing with Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, and Free Press, MAP urged the FCC to impose program access and other public interest conditions on the transfer of Commission licenses and authorizations from News Corporation and DIRECTV to Liberty Media Corporation.
Read the comments
MAP Reacts to FCC Ruling on Wireless Broadband
March 22, 2007 In response to the FCC ruling declaring wireless broadband an “information service,” Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project, had the following statement:
“The FCC’s actions today cannot change the legal status of wireless services offered by licensees. Licensees remain subject to Commission regulation under Title III of the Communications Act, regardless of the nature of the service. As Commissioner Adelstein observed, ‘this Order appears to make no difference.’”
Read the press release
MAP Reacts to FCC Order Regarding Communications Wiring of Apartments
March 22, 2007 MAP Senior Vice President Harold, had the following statement in response to today’s FCC decision to adopt an order on the use of exclusive
contracts for access to inside wiring in multiple dwelling units (MDUs):
“This action has the potential to bring the benefits of competition to millions of apartment renters, many of whom live in low-income neighborhoods. Hopefully, access to competing providers will lower costs and improve customer service for these communities."
Read the press release
MAP Disappointed with FCC Digital Audio Broadcasting Order
March 22, 2007 MAP Assistant Director Parul Desai, had the following the statement in response to the Commission's order on Digital Audio Broadcasting:
“The transition to digital radio, which will provide additional streams for programming and other services, presents an opportunity and platform for new and diverse voices and greater service to the public. It is unfortunate that the Commission majority refused to include even a word of official encouragement to broadcasters to voluntarily address the lack of independent programming, especially that created by women and people of color.”
Read the press release
MAP Files Letter in Support of Cable Ownership Caps
March 21, 2007 On behalf of independent producers, and a diverse coalition of media reform, religious, consumer, and civil rights groups, MAP filed a letter with the FCC applauding reports that Chairman Kevin Martin has circulated an order reaffirming the FCC’s 30% limit on the number of cable subscribers any one company can control.
“The cable companies have spread a lot of misinformation in the last few days to try to scare the FCC into dropping the rule,” said Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Media Access Project. Every American knows that cable doesn't face ‘effective competition’ every time they get a cable bill or need to call for service."
Read the letter
Read the press release
MAP Makes Case for Unlicensed Access in "White Spaces"
January 31, 2007 On behalf of a diverse coalition of organizations, MAP filed Comments in the FCC's "white spaces" proceeding, arguing the benefits of unlicensed access in the broadcast bands. Despite the limited availability of unlicensed spectrum roughly 5,000 commercial wireless ISP's (WISPs) provide broadband services to hundreds of thousands of mostly rural consumers and volunteers have brought wireless connectivity to thousands in poor urban neighborhoods. Permitting unlicensed access into the broadcast bands would provide “rocket fuel” for the development of community and wireless broadband in these under-served communities.
Read the comments
The Movement in Memphis
January 22, 2007 In an article for Broadcasting & Cable, MAP's Senior Vice President, Harold Feld, commented on the recent National Conference for Media Reform in Memphis, TN and the future of the media reform movement.
Read the article
MAP staff served as panelists for several informational sessions during the conference. Click the links below to listen to audio of the sessions.
The FCC: A Guide for Beginners & Tips for Experts
Too Big, Too Powerful: The Fight over Media Ownership
The Growth of Wireless Internet: From Community to Municipal to Corporate
MAP Refutes Industry Arguments for Increased Media Consolidation
January 16, 2007 On behalf of Prometheus Radio Project, MAP filed Reply Comments in the FCC's ownership proceedings, refuting several industry arguments made in favor of increasing media consolidation. MAP counters industry claims that recent increases in programming choices and advances in technology have eliminated the need for ownership diversity and reasonable regulation. MAP also explains why a number of economic studies submitted by the National Association of Broadcasters fail to make a case for further relaxation of media ownership rules.
Read the reply comments
MAP Says AT&T Concessions Make A Bad Merger Less Bad
December 29, 2006 Media Access Project issued the following statement in response to the approval of the AT&T/BellSouth merger:
"All things considered, it would have been better that AT&T were not allowed to acquire BellSouth. However, given the Justice Department’s outrageous failure to stop this deal, it would have been impossible for the FCC to stop the merger on its own. Commissioners Copps and Adelstein clearly got the best possible deal, making a bad merger less bad."
"Our colleagues in the public interest community deserve kudos for successfully advocating sweeping and important net neutrality provisions. The fact that neutrality is being applied to wireless broadband for the first time should not be underestimated. This breaks the "wireless barrier" against extending network neutrality beyond DSL and cable broadband."
Read MAP's press release
Read FCC's release
MAP Challenges License Renewals of All Commercial TV Stations in Portland
December 22, 2006 On behalf of the Oregon Alliance to Media Reform, MAP filed a Petition to Deny Renewal of all the commercial television stations in the Portland market that offer regularly scheduled newscasts. According to a Center for Media and Public Affairs study, in the four weeks prior to the 2004 election, less than 1% of Portland newscast time was devoted to state level elections, about 9% to ballot issues and less than 1% to other local elections. The petition argues that singly and together, each of these stations has failed to meet the needs of their community of license and therefore renewal of their licenses would not serve the public interest.
Read the petition
MAP Disappointed with FCC Notice in 700 MHz Proceeding
December 20, 2006 Media Access Project's Senior Vice President Harold Feld expressed disappointment with the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the 700 MHz proceeding:
“The FCC's action today essential recreates the Cyren Call proposal the Commission rejected last month. While this rulemaking has the virtue of complying with the applicable statute, the same problems that afflicted the Cyren Call proposal afflict the proposed rulemaking as well.”
Read the entire statement
Read the NPRM
MAP Petitions FCC to Reconsider "White Spaces" Order
December 18, 2006 On behalf of the New America Foundation and Champaign Urbana Wireless Network, MAP filed a petition in the "white spaces" proceeding, asking the Commission to reconsider several issues in its order that would unnecessarily delay the operation of unlicensed devices. Among the issues, is a needless ban on marketing or selling unlicensed devices until the DTV transition has been completed. The ban would delay deployment by community wireless organizations bringing affordable broadband access to poor urban or rural areas.
Read the petition
MAP Reacts to Commissioner McDowell's Announcement Regarding AT&T/BellSouth Merger
December 18, 2006 Andrew Jay Schwartzman, President of Media Access Project, issued the following statement concerning the announcement that FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell has declined to vote on the proposed ATT/BellSouth
merger:
"FCC Commissioner McDowell has courageously elevated professional responsibility over expedience in declining to participate in deliberations about the ATT/BellSouth merger. The test for such decisions is whether an action diminishes public confidence in the FCC’s actions. There is no doubt that the legitimacy of all FCC decision making would have suffered had Commissioner McDowell yielded to pressure and agreed to vote on the merger."
Read MAP's press release
Read MAP's post on the "The Hill's Congress Blog"
Read Commissioner McDowell's statement
MAP Wants FCC to Enforce Consumer Choices for Cable Set-Top Boxes
November 15, 2006 In a letter to the FCC, MAP joined with other consumer and public interest groups urging the Commission to finally move forward with implementation of the set-top box integration ban. In 1998, the FCC adopted the ban to ensure the commercial availability of set-top boxes and provide consumers with greater choices. As part of a series of efforts to stall competition, cable providers are again asking the FCC to delay the ban.
Read the letter
MAP Reacts to FCC's Continental Airlines Ruling
November 1, 2006 Media Access Project's Senior Vice President Harold Feld had the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision that Logan Airport cannot prevent Continental Airlines from operating an independent "wifi" system:
"Today's decision goes well beyond free wifi in airports. It provides a powerful affirmation to the community wireless movement in the United States by protecting the rights of users to operate wifi access points and other unlicensed devices whether or not a landlord has an exclusive arrangement with a provider."
Read MAP's press release
Read MAP's comments
MAP and CDD Push for Stronger Conditions on AT&T BellSouth Merger
October 24, 2006 On behalf of Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), MAP filed comments on the merger conditions proposed by AT&T and BellSouth. The proposed conditions are wholly inadequate to protect the public from the combined market power of AT&T and BellSouth. MAP and CDD called for a divestiture of AT&T's vast spectrum holdings and the imposition of meaningful net neutrality conditions on Cingular and other AT&T wireless networks.
Read the comments
MAP Asks Commission to Address Minority and Women Ownership Issues
October 23, 2006 On behalf of Prometheus Radio Project, Media Access Project filed comments in the FCC's broadcast ownership proceeding, requesting the Commission review proposals to promote minority and women ownership of media outlets. MAP urged the Commission to consider measures that would promote viewpoint diversity by creating incentives for minority and female ownership. MAP also asked the Commission to modify or repeal the outdated and unfair UHF discount.
Read the comments
MAP and Diverse Coalition Urge FCC to Keep Ownership Limits
October 23, 2006 Media Access Project and coalition of public interest, media reform and community media advocates filed comments in the FCC's broadcast ownership proceeding, urging the Commission to protect localism and diversity by retaining the current broadcast ownership limits. "This proceeding is about peoples’ right to receive all sorts of information and opinions from all sorts of people,” said Parul Desai, Assistant Director of Media Access Project. "Without the current rules, a small number of media executives will be in charge of deciding what information the public has a right to receive."
Read MAP's press release
Read the comments
MAP Calls for Increase in DBS Public-Interest Obligations
October 16, 2006 On behalf of the National Hispanic Media Coalition and several other organizations, MAP filed comments requesting the FCC expand the DBS public set-aside requirement from 4 to 7 percent. Congress created the public set-aside on satellite television to provide for the educational and programming needs of under-served minority, ethnic and local communities. MAP urged the Commission "to undertake the promised reassessment of the public interest set-aside to ensure that the public receives the full dividends Congress intended."
Read the comments
MAP Applauds Commissioners on "White Spaces" Order
October 12, 2006 Media Access Project's Senior Vice President Harold Feld had the following statement on the FCC's release of a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on unlicensed use of the broadcast "white spaces":
“Today's FCC action is another step forward in freeing more public spectrum for productive public use. Commissioner Adelstein has once again proven himself a champion for rural broadband and affordable wireless everywhere through his heroic efforts to keep as much spectrum as possible "on the table" until testing is complete. As Commissioner Copps observed, these are the "people's airwaves, to be used in direct service of the public interest."
Read MAP's press release
MAP Questions FCC's Upcoming NOI on Video Competition
October 12, 2006 Media Access Project's Senior Vice President Harold Feld reacted to the FCC's announcement of a Notice of Inquiry on the status of competition in the market for the delivery of video programming.
"It is unfortunate that the Commission has initiated another annual report without finishing last year's business. While the Commission is to be applauded for trying to improve its video competition report, it means nothing if the Commission refuses to act on the information it collects. The Commission has yet to resolve the question raised by last year's report -- whether cable penetration has met the so called 70/70 test of Section 612(g)."
Read MAP's press release
MAP Reacts to FCC Cover Up
September 14, 2006 Media Access Project along with Free Press, Consumers Union, and Consumer Federation of America filed a letter with the FCC, urging Chairman Kevin Martin to investigate an alleged cover up under former Chairman Michael Powell. According to a recently released AP article, senior officials at the Commission ordered the destruction of a localism report that found that locally owned television stations show more local news than their corporate owned counterparts.
Read MAP's press release
Read the letter
Read the report
MAP Urges FCC to Protect LPFM Access to Airwaves
August 24, 2006 On behalf of Prometheus Radio Project, MAP filed comments with the FCC regarding AM radio stations use of FM translators. MAP asserted that allowing AM radio stations to access the FM band via translators would crowd out current and future LPFM stations, robbing citizens and community groups of an opportunity to provide valuable local programming and information to their communities.
Read the comments
MAP Cites Critical Importance of LPFM and Community Wireless in Aftermath of Hurricane Disasters
August 07, 2006 The FCC in response to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina has convened a panel to determine recommendations for enhancing emergency communications during and after a natural disaster. MAP filed comments on behalf of Prometheus Radio Project, Champaign Urbana Wireless, and several others requesting the Commission make it easier for LPFM and community wireless volunteers to set up communication networks in disaster areas.
Read the LPFM comments
Read the Community Wireless comments
MAP Wins Important Conditions in Adelphia Approval
July 13, 2006 The FCC approved the sale of Adelphia to cable giants Comcast and Time Warner, but not without providing some assurances for competitors and independent programmers. Media Access Project's President and CEO, Andrew Jay Schwartzman, issued a statement in response to the Commission's approval.
"We are especially pleased that the Commission has voted to breathe life into its long neglected leased access provisions to protect independent programmers. Unfortunately, these conditions are not enough to make us happy about today’s action. The Commission’s failure to assure network neutrality, including non-discriminatory access, on the Internet is a step backwards."
Read the entire statement
MAP Reacts to FCC Launch of Ownership Review
June 21, 2006 MAP, President and CEO, Andrew Jay Schwartzman, issued a statement in response to the Commission's decision to begin review of its ownership regulations.
"We are especially disappointed that Chairman Martin continues to ignore public
and Congressional requests that he complete the FCC’s long delayed localism inquiry. Broadcasters
can best serve the public by addressing local needs. We are certain that the results of a serious
study of broadcasters’ performance will support our position that media consolidation is incompatible
with effective public service."
Read the entire statement
MAP Wants Accountability for DBS Set-Aside Licensees
June 16, 2006 On behalf of Free Press, MAP issued reply comments with the FCC, regarding the improper use of DBS set-aside by RFD Communications, Inc. RFD's blatant commercial programming violates the Communications Act requirement that programming for which DBS set-aside channels are reserved must be noncommercial in nature. MAP urged the FCC to ensure RFD and other licensees are complying with their public interest obligations.
Read the reply comments
MAP Briefs Reporters on AT&T/BellSouth Merger
June 6, 2006 MAP, along with Consumer Federation of America, NASUCA, Communication Workers of America, COMPTEL, ACLU, Free Press and the American Antitrust Institute, held a telephone press conference to discuss the serious consequences of the merger. MAP's President and CEO, Andrew Jay Schwartzman emphasized the merger's impact on net neutrality.
"Now that AT&T's Ed Whitacre has made it plain that his business model
is based on creating a tiered Internet, in considering this merger the FCC
has more reason than ever to impose for strong and permanent protections
for Network Neutrality."
Read the press release
MAP Files Petition to Stop AT&T/BellSouth Merger
June 5, 2006 On behalf of the Center for Digital Democracy, MAP filed a Petition to Deny with the FCC, opposing the merger of AT&T and BellSouth. The merger would threaten Internet freedom and severely limit broadband and wireless competition.
Read the petition
How Independent Artists Could Lose Their Independent Internet
June 1, 2006 In an article published by Voxunion Media, MAP's Assistant Director, Parul Desai describes the future internet landscape without Net Neutrality legislation and the devastating effect a tiering system would have on independent artists.
"This system discriminates by segregating the haves from the have-nots. There is just no way that independent artists can compete with entertainment giants who have the means to pay for quick access."
Read the article
MAP Opposes FCC Rules Favoring Spectrum Speculators
May 31, 2006 MAP filed comments on behalf of New America Foundation and others urging the FCC to abandon proposed rules which would expand spectrum rights of M-LMS licensees in the 900 MHz Band. The band is intensively used by several other services and devices, including Part 15 "unlicensed" devices such as cordless telephones, last mile broadband solutions and critical emergency response equipment. The FCC's proposed rules would reward M-LMS licensees for their inability to deliver service while penalizing unlicensed operation that is effectively using the band to provide essential services to the public.
Read the 900 MHz Comments
MAP Urges Vigorous Enforcement of DBS Set-Aside Requirements
May 22, 2006 MAP filed comments on behalf of media reform group, Free Press, urging the FCC to promptly and vigorously enforce the DBS set-aside requirements for public access channels. Satellite programmers must devote a portion of their channel capacity for non-commercial broadcasting. Recent evidence presented to the FCC establishes that one of these channels, RFD TV, has been abusing its public access rights by broadcasting commercial, non-educational programming. Unless the FCC acts, RFD TV will continue misusing the scarce space set aside for the educational needs of the American public.
Read the RFD Comments
MAP Supports Bi-Partisan Net Neutrality Bill
May 18, 2006 MAP joined other public interest groups in supporting the "Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006." This bill represents a bi-partisan effort to maintain the open and free Internet by protecting the principles of "net neutrality."
Read the Public Interest Press Release
MAP Files on Behalf of Creative Community
May 15, 2006 On behalf of the Center for Creative Voices in Media, MAP filed a Motion to Intervene challenging the
FCC's recently released indecency decisions. The vague and confusing nature of these decisions has prompted broadcast licensees to censor artistic programming to ward off any potential penalties. MAP argues that because the FCC's indecency decisions have constrained artistic expression, they interfere with the public's right to access diverse sources of information, as guaranteed by the Communications Act.
Read the Creative Voices' Press Release
Read the Motion to Intervene
Read the Memorandum Supporting the Motion
MAP Joins Groups in Opposing COPE Act
May 15, 2006 MAP joined other public interest groups in a letter urging representatives to oppose the
Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act. This bill contains provisions that discriminate against lower income families, deepen the digital divide, undermine local authority, and fail to protect the open and free nature of the Internet.
Read the COPE Act Opposition Letter
The Media Access Project
is a non-profit, public interest law firm which
promotes the public's First Amendment
right to hear and be heard on the electronic
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