Media Critic Byron Dorgan To Exit Senate

Senator has been leading opponent of media consolidation

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/6/2010 10:37:13 AM

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) has decided not to seek re-election next year, which will see the exit of one of the media industry's most vocal critics in Congress.

Dorgan, a long-time member of the Commerce Committee, has been a big proponent of network neutrality. He co-sponsored network neutrality legislation in the last Congress, for example. He has also been a leading opponent of media consolidation, trying at one point to block the FCC from instituting deregulatory changes via an unusual legislative gambit.

Consolidation critic Public Knowledge was not happy to hear of his planned departure. "We were very disappointed to learn that Sen. Byron Dorgan has decided not to run for re-election this year," said the group in a statement. "Throughout his career, Sen. Dorgan fought for the interests of consumers ahead of the interests of corporate media giants. No one in Congress is more dedicated to the cause of Internet Freedom than is Sen. Dorgan. He is a true Internet champion."