The Federal Communications Commission held a public hearing and panel discussion today in Columbia addressing media ownership.
The FCC limits the number of the number of broadcast stations a single entity can own in each market.
However, those limits have been relaxed the last two decades, which has allowed a great deal of consolidation in the industry.
FCC spokesman Bill Lake says cross-ownership is always an issue of great concern.
“We review these rules every four years and last year there was a great deal of public sentiment expressed about them,” said Lake.
“My sense is the temperature is a little lower this time, partly because people have a lot of other things that they’re also worried about, but this is one of the more important things the commission does and we’re going to do it very carefully,” he said.
Today’s panel included managers from area broadcast stations and other community leaders.
Members of the public were also allowed to ask questions and express their concerns about cross-ownership.
Lake says the FCC will use input gathered today in shaping future ownership rules.
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