Writers Guild Says Merged Media Could Fund Public TV

Also advises FCC to consider issues of convergence and control by companies that are both cable and Internet distributors

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/8/2010 5:58:32 PM

The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has advised the FCC that if it lets any more big media companies merge, it should make them help pay for public affairs programming on public television.

It also advised it against allowing more consolidation of operations or ownership of news media outlets--like local TV stations--and wants the FCC to start thinking about concentration of power in multichannel video distribution by companies that are also Internet Service Providers.

That came in comments to the commission Thursday on its quadrennial review of media ownership rules and which to keep, change or dispense with.

"[I]f media conglomerates insist on being permitted to consolidate their hold on the media marketplace, in exchange they can be required to contribute assets to public programming," said WGAE.

On the issue of convergence and control, WGAE cited the Comcast/NBCU deal, which it opposes as advertised, as an example of the concentration of content production and distribution by cable and Internet that it wants the FCC to consider as it analyzes ownership rules.

The Guild represents thousands of TV writers, editors and producers in entertainment and news.