Bill Summary & Status for the 107th Congress

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S.1189
Sponsor: Sen Hollings, Ernest F. [SC](introduced 7/17/2001)
Latest Major Action: 7/17/2001 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Title: A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to amend its daily newspaper cross-ownership rules, and for other purposes.
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TITLE(S):  (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
STATUS: (color indicates Senate actions)
7/17/2001:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7824)

COMMITTEE(S):
RELATED BILL DETAILS:

***NONE***


AMENDMENT(S):

***NONE***


COSPONSORS(2), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND] - 7/17/2001 Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - 7/17/2001


SUMMARY AS OF:
7/17/2001--Introduced.

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify its regulations concerning the multiple ownership of broadcast stations to: (1) require the immediate review of a license for any AM, FM, or TV broadcast station (station) held by any party that acquires the ownership, operation, or control of a daily newspaper; and (2) require the modification or revocation of such license, or divestiture of such ownership, unless such ownership will not cause a radio contour overlap or overlap a third station. Authorizes the FCC to grant a permanent or temporary waiver of such requirement when consistent with the principles of competition, diversity, and localism in the public interest. Prohibits the FCC from requiring such modification, revocation, or divestiture when it is against the public interest, convenience, or necessity.

Requires the FCC to further modify its regulations so that it will determine compliance with such modified multiple ownership requirements whenever: (1) a party that holds a license for such a station acquires ownership, operation, or control of a daily newspaper; or (2) a party that owns, operates, or controls a daily newspaper acquires a license for any such station.

Allows the FCC to modify or repeal its media ownership rules after reporting an explanation thereof to specified congressional committees.