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Jackson Voices Opposition To XM-Sirius Merger
WASHINGTON -- October 31, 2007: Wednesday's FCC hearing on localism focused primarily on broadcasting, but Rainbow PUSH Coalition founder and President Rev. Jesse Jackson devoted a portion of his comments to potential competitive harms he believes could come to minorities should the FCC approve the proposed merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.
"The proposed Sirius-XM merger would eliminate the potential of any meaningful competition in the satellite radio market, which would, in turn, permanently block the potential for diversity of ownership and control by minorities in the only medium capable of nationwide broadcasting," said Jackson, one of several panelists who spoke at the hearing, the last in a series the commission has hosted across the country.
Jackson continued, "I urge this commission to view this proposed transaction -- as it is currently structured -- not in the public interest. It will eliminate diversity of content and meaningful opportunities for minority partnership in media ownership. This cannot happen. This commission must uphold the statutes and regulations that promote content diversity and opportunities for media ownership by minorities."
Jackson challenged the commission to look carefully at the proposed deal before making a decision. He said, "The commission should seize the opportunity presented by this transaction to make a difference that serves the best interests of all concerned: Sirius and XM in their objectives, the marketplace and diversified ownership and competition, and the public's right of access to benefit from varied programming that is appropriate and feasible."
He added, "The proposed transaction would result in the business combination of the two most significant and largest companies in satellite communications. In effect, this creates a monopoly, virtually making competition impossible and programming dangerously subject to the combined entity's self-interests and whim. This puts the public at a disadvantage. It has the potential of serious economic havoc on any business attempting to be a part of this marketplace and to the communities of which these businesses serve."
Jackson also voiced concerns about the level of minority ownership in traditional broadcast media. "We have a media diversity crisis, and it's still not clear that the FCC is serious about addressing it," he said, stressing that further liberalization of the agency's media ownership rules - which are currently under review - could only exacerbate the situation. "Stopping media consolidation is the most important way to help minority ownership, " he said. "The idea that the FCC would permit further media consolidation without first addressing the issue of minority ownership is preposterous and offensive to the communities that have been too long excluded. The consequences of continuing to neglect the minority media ownership crisis are grave."
Jackson added, "Until we have equal access to the public airwaves, the media will continue to portray our youth as criminals and gangsters, play sexist music that disrespects women, ignore the crimes against our children, and shut us out of public debate."
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