Debate over cross-media ownership

Some of those whose livelihoods are most directly tied to the upcoming government revision of media ownership rules will finally get the chance to address at least two Federal Communications Commission members today during a forum at USC’s Davidson Conference Center.

Democratic commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein (the latter via teleconference) are among those who will be participating in the conference, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., along with executives from ABC, Universal Television and Tribune Co., owner of the Los Angeles Times. However, most of those joining them on the panel will be academics -- which disappoints some within Hollywood’s creative community, who feel they are not being adequately represented. The event will include a 45-minute period blocked out for public comment.

Copps has advocated a series of public hearings on the issue -- a push rejected by FCC Chairman Michael Powell, who leads the commission’s Republican majority. The lone hearing attended by all five commissioners took place in Richmond, Va., in February, and another was held the month before in New York City. Notably, only one television news outlet, PBS’ “Now With Bill Moyers,” covered the latter.

The USC discussion follows a previously scheduled February session that was postponed at the last minute due to snow storms on the East Coast. The commission is expected to vote on revising the rules -- governing such issues as cross-ownership of TV stations and newspapers as well as how many stations a single company can own -- on June 2. On Friday’s edition of “Now,” USA Interactive Chairman Barry Diller, who has spoken out against further deregulation, agreed that the vote should be delayed to allow further debate.