Patty Murray, US Senator from the State of Washington, writes:

Dear Ms. Cooper:

Thanks you for sharing your concerns regarding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) effort to repeal the ban on television and newspaper cross-ownership. I appreciate hearing your views on this important issue.

As you may know, in 1975 the FCC adopted the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule. This rule prohibits common ownership of a full service broadcast station and a daily newspaper when the broadcast station's service is in the newspaper's city of publication. The goal of this rule was to safeguard the public against regional information monopolies. In the last few years that FCC [sic] has made a concerted effort to review its newspaper/broadcast cross ownership policy, reasoning that expansion in the broadcast marketplace has rendered the rule obsolete.

I am also concerned about the possible ramifications of lifting the ban. With the addition of the Internet, satellite and cable television, independent news and information sources are more important than ever. I believe that freedom of the press is a core American value that must be ardently protected. The independence of various newspapers, radio and television stations help protect this value by ensuring that the public receive a greater variety of information. Please know that I certainly will continue to follow this issue.

Once again thank you for writing. If I may be of any more assistance, do not hesitate to contact me.