FCC Considers Major Changes In TV Station Ownership Rules

There is a battle going on in corridors of the Federal Communication Commission in Washington, DC right now. Most people may not know it, but the outcome will shape what you hear on radio, read in the newspaper and watch on television for many years to come.

What is that battle? The FCC is considering major changes to the rules governing how many television stations, radio stations and newspapers one media company can own in each market/city. The commission is made up of three Republicans and two Democrats. Their leader is Michael Powell, is the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Right now there is strong indication that the commission will approve a relaxation of the rules governing the number of television stations, radio stations and newspapers that one company can own in each media market.

Critics say this will continue the practice of putting more and more media outlets in the hands of fewer and fewer companies and thus limiting the types of information and programming that is provided to the public.

Those in favor of the changes in ownership rules say they are necessary to ensure the survival of so-called "free TV and radio" that is decling in popularity due to cable TV, satelite TV and the Internet.

The official Web site of the FCC offers the public a chance to read about the proposed changes and offer thie comments. I urge you to visit the site, study the issue and offer your own thoughts, be they pro or con. The airwaves are, afterall, supposed to belong to the public and your input should be heard.

Information on this issue, as well as where and how to make comments, is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/rev...

Finding NBA games on TV is no slam dunk: With ABC, ESPN and TNT all televising a portion of the NBA playoffs, finding the game you want to watch is no easy task. For a complete listing of games, networks and air dates and times, visit http://www.nba.com/playoffs2003/

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This week in television history: May 12, 1987 marked the final episode of the NBC sitcom "Gimme A Break." The series starred veteran Broadway actress Nell Carter as a nanny who took care of the kids of the local police chief. The series lasted four seasons.

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