Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC
In 2004, MAP had a historic victory in an important court case, Prometheus Radio Project v. Federal Communications Commission. The ruling in the case that had nationwide impact on broadcast and print media ownership.
In the case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sided with MAP and its client, Prometheus Radio Project, effectively deciding that preserving democracy is more important than helping big media companies grow bigger.
The decision was a huge victory for diversity in media. It overturned a deregulatory ruling made by the FCC in 2003 that allowed companies to own more television and radio stations and newspapers in markets throughout the country. The Prometheus v. FCC decision returned media ownership regulations to pre-2003 levels.
MAP is fighting to ensure that under the new FCC, media ownership rules will be tightened, rather than further relaxed. These regulations directly impact people’s First Amendment rights to freely express themselves and the views of their communities through local and national media outlets.
Read full statement by MAP President Andrew Jay Schwartzman.
Read the Court’s decision.
