wfn.org | UCC-OC, Inc. director applauds Solicitor General's decision on media

[powellb@ucc.org]

Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ (OC, Inc.)
In Washington, contact:
Gloria Tristani
202-263-2586
tristang@ucc.org

In Cleveland, contact:
Barb Powell
216-736-2175
powellb@ucc.org

http://www.ucc.org/ocinc

Former FCC Commissioner Tristani applauds Solicitor General's decision
concerning media consolidation

      Washington, D.C. ? Former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani today
(Jan. 27) released the following statement concerning the decision by the
Office of the Solicitor General not to appeal a Third Circuit Court
decision. The circuit court's decision overturned a 2003 order by the
Federal Communications Commission that would have weakened U.S. media
ownership rules.

      Here is the statement of Gloria Tristani, managing director of the
Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc. (OC, Inc.):

      "I applaud the Solicitor General's decision not to appeal the Third
Circuit decision overturning the FCC's June 2003 order on media ownership.
The FCC order would have unleashed a new wave of media consolidation.
With
this decision, the FCC has an opportunity to craft media ownership rules
that truly serve the American people.

      "This second time around, the FCC must include the public in its
decision-making process by actively listening to American concerns about
the media.  Americans increasingly are concerned about a 'canned media'
that does not serve the needs of local communities and that is adverse
to a
diversity of viewpoints and voices."

      The Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc.
(OC,
Inc.) was established in 1959. Throughout its history, OC, Inc. has
advocated for persons historically excluded from the media, especially
women and people of color; petitioned the FCC to issue EEO rules; sought to
guarantee educational and informational children's programming; defended
the Equal Time Rule for political candidates; supported efforts to
establish low-power FM radio; protected affordable access to emerging
technologies; and urged strengthening of basic corporate character
requirements for those who transmit images and data.

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