Openers: Women & Minority-Owned Radio
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., who chairs the House Energy and Commerce's Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, is concerned about the "abysmal lack of broadcast licenses" held by minority- and women-owned businesses. His remarks came at a hearing Wednesday on the future of radio.
While many licenses were given out decades ago, it is important to remember that the country's population is half female and 35 percent minority, he said. Lawmakers and the FCC can find "creative ways" to remedy the situation, Markey added.
Michigan Democrat John Dingell, who chairs the full committee, also tackled the topic. He said minorities own about 4 percent of radio stations nationwide and it may be part of a "downward trend." He called for "full representation of minority broadcasting" on American airwaves and said the law and federal agencies "should encourage that."
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