Commissioner Clyburn Calls for Public Hearings on Comcast-NBC
Posted May 12th, 2010 by Megan Tady
Clyburn Calls for More Public Hearings on Comcast-NBCU Merger
It’s the public that would ultimately be affected by the proposed merger between Comcast and NBC. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn gets that.
In remarks at the Free Press policy summit on Tuesday, Clyburn called for public hearings on the merger, stressing the importance of a conversation with communities.
“It is crucial that we hear from people about what is most important to them, and to chat with them about why we make the decisions we do,” Clyburn said. “That two-way communication is essential to good governance. What value will hearings outside the Beltway bring? First and foremost, they will force the Commission to interact and see up close how Americans feel about the merger.”
If the merger is approved, this new media giant would include the largest residential provider of cable television and Internet access, a major television network, 26 broadcast television stations, 17 cable network properties, several local sports media properties, as well as a Hollywood movie studio and production houses.
The deal’s impact would be felt by consumers at the local level, who could face higher prices, less competition and a decrease in local media coverage. The communities that will be most affected must have a chance to weigh in and have their voices heard by the Commissioners.
Watch the video of Clyburn calling for hearings on Comcast-NBC.
