Just over a year ago, the Federal Communications Commission voted to unleash an unprecedented wave of media consolidation, allowing one company to dominate a community's access to information by controlling up to three TV stations, eight radio stations, the major daily newspaper (already a monopoly in most places), the cable system, an unlimited number of cable channels and even the dominant Internet provider.

At issue in that vote was how America's TV, radio, newspapers and even the Internet are going to look for many years to come. How many -- or, rather, how few -- companies are going to control the media -- and for what purposes? Will we still be able to get real local news and clashing points of view so we can make up our own minds on the issues of the day? How do we assure quality TV and music instead of being fed a diet of pre-canned and nationalized fare aimed primarily at selling products?

The issue is whether a few large conglomerates will be ceded content control over our music, entertainment and information; gatekeeper control over the civic and political dialogue of our country; and veto power over the majority of what we and our families watch, hear and read. Rather than learn the lessons of radio concentration, the FCC plunged ahead and voted to visit a policy of "Clear Channelization" on the rest of our media.

The FCC's decision sparked nationwide outrage across the country and across the political spectrum. Citizens stood up in never-before-seen numbers to reclaim their airwaves and to call on those who are entrusted to use them to serve the public interest. Concerned parents and creative artists, religious leaders, civil rights activists, labor organizations, young people, old people, broadcasters and many, many others understood the dangers of too much concentration and went to work to do something about it. More than 2.3 million people contacted the FCC, 99.9 percent of them against what the majority of commissioners rushed through.

Congress also responded to the call. The Senate voted to overturn the FCC decision in its entirety, and more than 200 members of the House of Representatives have pleaded with the House Leadership for permission to vote on the same resolution of disapproval -- although so far, they have been denied that vote. Why aren't members allowed to vote on such an important issue?

The federal judiciary responded, too. Just last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that the FCC's media concentration plan was legally and procedurally flawed. The court stayed implementation of the new rules and sent them back to the commission for reworking.

So we have now heard from the courts, the Congress and the American people that the FCC got it wrong when it tried to unleash even more consolidation. It is clear that we need to reassess our approach and start protecting the people's interest in the people's airwaves. It is time for the FCC to start over and come up with a set of rules to encourage localism, diversity and competition in the broadcast media instead of always waving the green flag for more big-media consolidation.

The FCC has a second chance to do the right thing. This time we must include the American people in the process instead of shutting them out. This time we must put respect for core values of localism, diversity, and competition up front, ahead of crazy schemes that deny media democracy. We must protect and work to expand the multiplicity of voices and choices that support our marketplace of ideas and that sustain American democracy and creativity.

While this media concentration dialogue continues, the FCC is also examining other measures to ensure that broadcasters serve the needs of their local communities. We are coming to Monterey to talk directly with members of this region and to tap local expertise that can give us a look at what is happening. Are stations adding to the civic dialogue? In this election year, are they covering the important issues that confront us or are they just focusing on the polls and handicapping the horse race? Are they covering the local issues and local campaigns? Are they airing local musicians? Are they reaching out to minority groups within the community? Are they providing programming for all, including children?

We need your input. If you have not been involved in these issues, I urge you to get involved. Only sustained grassroots action can put the brakes on consolidation. Even then, the battle is uphill against strong entrenched interests. Unchecked, the commissioners could come back with rules that are almost as bad for media democracy as the ones that Congress and the courts have rejected.

So let's take advantage of the best opportunity we've had in years to settle this issue of who will control our media and for what purposes, and to resolve it in favor of airwaves of, by and for the people of this great democracy.

Express your views

The FCC is holding a hearing to gather information from consumers, industry, civic organizations and others on broadcasters' service to their local communities.

Where: Monterey Conference Center, Steinbeck Forum, 3rd floor, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey

When: Wednesday, 6-10 p.m.

Tickets: Free but limited; available on a first-come, first-served basis

More information: (202) 418-7777 or www.fcc.gov/localism/hearing- monterey072104.html

Michael J. Copps is one of five FCC commissioners.

©2004 San Francisco Chronicle

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