Ed Markey: “we need to keep this bill in context. The worst part, the most unhealthy part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act was the…”

“we need to keep this bill in context. The worst part, the most unhealthy part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act was the provision which allowed for the consolidation of the radio industry. Up until 1996, no one could own more than two AM and two FM radio stations in the same city, and no one could own more than 40 radio stations across the whole country. Because of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, this worst provision in it, we now have one group owns 512 stations, another 443 stations, another 248 stations, and another 163 stations. It is harder and harder for minorities to gain access to the airwaves, to own them. It is harder and harder for women. It is harder and harder for smaller voices to independently speak on the airwaves of our country. What the chairman of the FCC, what the commission was trying to do was to make it possible for 100-watt stations to be licensed, not the 50,000-watt stations that we are all familiar with in our hometowns. 100-watt stations. This is the kid across the street with an antenna. This is not rocket science. This is just radio. It has been around for 80 years and the Federal Communications Commission has been doing a good job in sorting out these issues, these interference issues. The FCC's job is to supplement, not supplant competition. That is what they are trying to do here, supplement it. What are we talking about? Is your car radio going to be affected by this? No. Is your stereo going to be affected by this? No.”