James M. Jeffords: “I want to state my opposition to the Federal Communications Commission's scheduled June 2nd vote to overhaul current…”

“I want to state my opposition to the Federal Communications Commission's scheduled June 2nd vote to overhaul current broadcast media ownership rules of newspapers, television, and radio stations. I am disappointed that FCC Chairman Michael Powell has refused to hold a single public hearing regarding the proposed changes to these rules, or to entertain further public comment on what is turning out to become a historic rulemaking. The public needs to be heard from, and the public needs to know what will happen if the changes that Chairman Powell has proposed become reality. The biennial review required by the 1996 Telecommunications Act requires the FCC to review its rules every 2 years, but this review should not be used as an excuse to radically alter the way our constituents receive their news from the media. Not only am I disappointed at how this situation has come to pass, but I am also dismayed at what the FCC proposes.”