文档介绍：Stanford Law School

John M. Olin Program in Law and Economics

Working Paper 254

May 2003

Regulatory Reform:

The munications Act of 1996 and the FCC Media Ownership Rules

Bruce M. Owen
Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Stanford University

This paper can be downloaded without charge from the
Social Science work Electronic Paper Collection:
http://papers./?abstract_id=406261
Regulatory Reform:
The munications Act of 1996 and the
FCC Media Ownership Rules
by
Bruce M. Owen
May 2003

Prepared for the Fourth Annual
James H. munication Policy and Law Symposium
Washington DC
February 27, 2003

ing in the Law Review of Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law
Regulatory Reform:
The munications Act of 1996 and the FCC Media Ownership Rules
by
Bruce M. Owen
May 2003

Abstract
The mission has regulated ownership of mass media out-
lets since the 1920s. The munications Act of 1996 abolished some of these regu-
lations, changed others, and required the FCC to review its rules regularly and to repeal
those no longer required.
There is little opposition to the idea that media ownership policy should promote eco-
petition (to increase the economic welfare of consumers) and First Amend-
ment values (to preserve the political freedom of citizens).
This paper examines, from an economic perspective, federal administrative restrictions
on ownership of media properties, including both antitrust and First Amendment policy
bases for the rules. It concludes that the present rules are duplicative of antitrust law en-
forcement and should therefore be abolished as wasteful of public resources and a burden
on consumer welfare. It argues that First Amendment goals are not threatened by aboli-
tion.

Keywords: mass media ownership, FCC media regulation, Fir