FCC Commissioner Copps to Hold Media Concentration Roundtable; Religious, Civil Rights, Consumer, Industry Groups Speak May 27

5/23/2003

From: Paul Margie, 202-418-2000

News Advisory:

-- FCC Commissioner Copps to Hold Media Concentration Roundtable at FCC

-- Religious, Civil Rights, Consumer, Industry, Conservative, Creative Arts Groups Speak Together on May 27 at 1:30 p.m.

FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps announced today that he and Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein will lead a roundtable discussion of 20 of the diverse groups supporting media localism, diversity, and competition on Tuesday May 27 at 1:30 p.m. at the FCC. Representatives of conservative and liberal groups, creative artists and local broadcasters, consumer groups and civil rights organizations will all attend this meeting.

There are only a few days until the FCC's June 2 decision on whether to weaken media concentration protections. This roundtable will provide an opportunity to hear why these protections are important to groups across the entire political spectrum and from all parts of the country. The Commissioners will also discuss the more than 100,000 comments received last week from the National Rifle Association and the more than 100,000 signatures collected by Move On, all of which expressed concern with removing media concentration protections.

WHAT: Roundtable discussion

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, May 27

WHERE: FCC Meeting Room 445 12th St. SW Washington, D.C.

Twenty organizations are expected to participate. The diverse group includes the Catholic Conference of Bishops and Common Cause, the Family Research Council and the Future of Music Coalition, and the Parents Television Council and the Caucus of Writers, Producers & Directors. A wide range of journalists associations, consumers groups, broadcasters, creative artists groups, labor organizations, religious groups, and child advocacy groups will also each have a representative.

Members of the press are invited to attend this meeting.

The event will be held in the FCC Meeting Room at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 27. The FCC is located at 445 12th St. SW. Please leave extra time for security due to the heightened security measures in place at the Commission.

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).