WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet and current senior member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) release of proposed changes to media cross-ownership rules.

“Localism, diversity and competition are critical values in our national media policy. Over time, the technologies utilized to deliver information to the public have changed, but these values remain constant. Diversity of ownership is a primary proxy for diversity of viewpoints. Ownership limits are key to ensuring that the public has access to a wide array of voices in local news and information.

“Loosening ownership rules could enable the type of media consolidation that would make Citizen Kane look like an underachiever. This cannot be allowed to happen.

“Our democracy relies upon an informed citizenry.  There are few issues that the FCC will address that will have a more profound impact on our civic institutions than media ownership rules. The FCC must give careful review and consideration to any revisions to the rules governing media cross-ownership and include ample opportunity for public review and comment. I will continue to monitor this matter closely.”