(San Francisco, January 27, 2005) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court a lower court ruling that prevents Big Media from growing even bigger.

“This is a tremendous victory for all Americans,” said Jeff Perlstein, Executive Director of Media Alliance, one of the plaintiffs in the case. “We have said all along that the public interest would not be served by allowing more media consolidation at the expense of diversity and localism.”

"We renew our call for the full Commission to schedule a series of hearings across the country to engage the American people on the future of their media and to gain a better understanding of the impact of media concentration on our communities. These should commence immediately and inform any new rules."

For immediate release
Contact: Jeff Perlstein 415-225-6673, Sydney Levy 415-546-6334 ext 301

(San Francisco, January 27, 2005) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court a lower court ruling that prevents Big Media from growing even bigger.

“This is a tremendous victory for all Americans,” said Jeff Perlstein, Executive Director of Media Alliance, one of the plaintiffs in the case. “We have said all along that the public interest would not be served by allowing more media consolidation at the expense of diversity and localism.”

Today's victory follows an unprecedented and sustained mobilization by all sectors of society. Over two million Americans--representing a wide political spectrum from the National Rifle Association (NRA) to the National Organization of Women (NOW)--have filed comments voicing their opposition to the FCC's proposed loosening of media ownership rules.

Media ownership deregulation has been temporarily stopped, but the facts on the ground have not changed: Five media conglomerates—Viacom, Disney, Time Warner, News Corp. and NBC/GE—still control 70% of the prime time television market share, most cable channels, vast holdings in radio, publishing, movie studios, music, Internet, and other sectors. [Consumers Union/Parents Television Council]

The FCC will now get a new opportunity to draft rules in a way that regulates media ownership in the public interest.

"We renew our call for the full Commission to schedule a series of hearings across the country to engage the American people on the future of their media and to gain a better understanding of the impact of media concentration on our communities. These should commence immediately and inform any new rules."

The ruling at issue is Prometheus Radio Project vs. Federal Communications Commission. In that case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia sided with Media Alliance and other public interest advocates, sending media ownership deregulation back to the FCC for reconsideration. The Court concurred that the June 2, 2003 FCC media ownership deregulation rules did not serve the public interest.

Media Alliance is a co-plaintiff in the case and is represented by the Center for Public Representation.

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