FCC Media Ownership Studies Delayed by Late Data
Completion of some FCC media ownership studies has been delayed because authors were waiting for data and contracts from the agency, said some of the researchers. Publication of the full batch of 10 economic studies has been delayed, said FCC and industry officials, and the slowdown is a reason the Commission’s media ownership review may take more time than expected at first. Another reason is the need to complete a series of 6 ownership hearings and several localism meetings. The 4th ownership hearing is scheduled for today (Mon.) in Tampa.
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A study on cable and broadcast network vertical integration will be completed later than expected because of a delay in getting 3rd-party proprietary information from the Commission. The author, U. of Chicago Economics Prof. Austan Goolsbee, had said his report had been due before March. Because of the dat hold-up, he said Fri., he now hopes to have it done in several weeks. “I am not fully done, but I am getting close. They had some problems getting us the data we needed for doing most of the studies,” Goolsbee told us: “They had to get permission from people to use their data.” Other studies are behind schedule for the same reason, he said: “That definitely slowed a lot of them down. If you didn’t have the data, there’s not much you can do.”
The start of a Nielsen study for the FCC on how people get news was delayed because the company was awaiting FCC approval of its proposal. The Nielsen study and 9 others were unveiled by the Commission Nov. 22. But in late Jan., a spokeswoman said Nielsen hadn’t begun work because it didn’t have a contract. She said Fri. the company has started its research. Nielsen declined to say when the report will be complete.
A study on minority participation in the media industry also is in process, said the author, Duke U. Economics Prof. Arie Beresteanu. “We are going to finish it soon,” he said, declining to be more specific or to say what exactly he’s studying.
Some studies were due in March, Media General Pres. Marshall Morton told analysts April 19. “These studies are necessary to moving forward on media ownership,” Morton said: “It’s impossible to know how much of a delay this will cause in the rulemaking process. We and others continue to press the Commission to stay on track.” This week, Media General officials will show commissioners the company’s Tampa properties, which include a TV station and newspaper, to illustrate the benefits of cross ownership, he said. FCC officials including Comr. Copps have discussed the delay, too. “It appears now it is going to take a little more time to get these studies done,” he told NAB’s conference in Las Vegas April 17.
The FCC didn’t have a formal deadline for releasing the studies, said a Commission official: “Each of these studies will be peer reviewed. Once the studies are complete, they will be available here for public review and comment… More important than the studies being completed quickly or by a particular date is that the best work possible be done.” A media activist agreed. “I hope the delay means it’s because people are being careful this time,” said Media Access Project Pres. Andrew Schwartzman: “I'd rather they take more time and do it right.” Chmn. Martin has said he hoped to release the research before summer (CD Jan 19 p11).