Mass Media Notes

The FCC should promptly act on petitions for reconsideration of a 2008 order resulting from the media ownership review two years earlier, umbrella group Public Interest Advocates told Commissioner Michael Copps last week. “Because the Third Circuit has lifted the stay and allowed the revised newspaper-cross-ownership rule to take effect, it is important that the FCC give prominent public notice of any waiver requests,” said an ex parte filing. Free Press, Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Public Representation and Media Access Project representatives met with Copps. Supporters and opponents of the order allowing common ownership of a daily paper and a broadcast station in a market in some cases agree that the FCC should act on a reconsideration petition from Common Cause (CD April 2 p1).