Illinois Congressmen Ask FCC to Grant Tribune Co. Cross-Ownership Waivers

[NashVegas]

Source: Editor & Publisher

CHICAGO A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers think Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules banning same-market ownership of television and newspapers should not be allowed to derail Tribune Co.'s $8.2 billion deal to be taken private.

In a May 18 letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, 14 members of Illinois' 21-person congressional delegation urged him to give his "personal attention" to Tribune's request for waivers from the rules.

The waivers are critical to the deal, led by Chicago real estate mogul Sam Zell, to take Tribune private because it depends on transferring broadcast licenses to the new owner, an Employee Stock Option Plan.

Right now, Tribune is operating newspapers and television stations under temporary waivers to the cross-ownership ban on same-market ownership of broadcast and newspapers in New York City; Los Angeles; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Hartford. Tribune earlier this month formally requested FCC waivers under its proposed new ownership.



Read more: http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003588643

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This has got to be rejected. Very disappointing that Dems are a part of it.

[loudsue]

1. Dems that have sold their souls, to be sure.

I think we need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. This has gotten WAY out of hand.

:kick:

[mopinko]

2. i'm torn here.

the trib never should have been given waivers. and i have no idea where zell's plan is going. maybe the aesop is just a part of a bigger game plan. but if the trib is really going to be run by the aesop, maybe it will be a better paper. afaik zell is known for chopping things up, and selling them off. i guess if that was his plan, he would do it now, and avoid the hassle.
but :shrug: i am all for changes in the trib, and hope that is what this is going to be.

[MasonJar]

3. NO!

[AX10]

4. Which Democrats signed the petition?

We need to know.