Media Ownership: A Forum on FCC Rules

The USC Center for Communication Law and Policy will hold a public forum on FCC media ownership rules on Monday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps will attend the forum and make a brief presentation. The forum features panel discussions addressing the impact of proposed changes to media ownership rules on the entertainment industry and journalism. Panelists include Martin Franks, vice president, CBS and Viacom; Mark Pedowitz, vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group; Shaun Sheehan, vice president, Tribune Co.; and John Connolly, president, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

If you are interested in attending the forum, please RSVP through USC Annenberg School for Communication at ascevents@usc.edu or by calling (213) 740-5658.

Forum will take place at the USC Davidson Executive Conference Center, 3415 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Parking at USC is available for $6.

The complete agenda is as follows:

8:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast (Lobby)

9:00 a.m. Welcome and introductions (Embassy Room): Sandra Ortiz, executive director, USC Center for Communication Law and Policy

9:15 a.m. Comments from FCC Commissioners: Jonathan Adelstein (via teleconference) and Michael Copps Comments from Government Representatives: Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31)

9:30 a.m. Legal Overview: Christopher Yoo, associate professor, Vanderbilt University Law School

9:45 a.m. Panel I: Economics/Diversity in Entertainment Programming

Moderator: Tracy Westen, adjunct professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication

Panelists: William Blinn, writer/producer
Darnell Hunt, professor of sociology, UCLA
Jerry Isenberg, professor, USC School of Cinema
David Kissinger, president, Universal Television Productions
Mark Pedowitz, executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group
John Taplin, chairman and chief executive officer, Intertainer

11:00 a.m. Break

11:15 a.m. Panel II: Local News: Duopoly, Cross-Ownership Rules

Moderator: Tracy Westen, adjunct professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication

Panelists: John Connolly, national president, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Jay Harris, founding director, The Center for the Study of Journalism and Democracy at USC
Marty Kaplan, associate dean, USC Annenberg School for Communication and director, Norman Lear Center
Jay Levine, president, Share With Other LA
Shaun Sheehan, vice president, Tribune Co.
Val Zavala, vice president, News & Public Affairs, KCET

12:30 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. Public Comments

1:30 p.m. Closing