Keep media independent

The U.S. House of Representatives can bolster an independent press by adopting a simple one-page piece of legislation.

Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, has introduced a "resolution of disapproval" that would stop the Federal Communications Commission from lifting its cross-ownership ban. The resolution is co-sponsored by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn.The resolution, which mirrors one introduced in the Senate by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., gives Congress a chance to stop the FCC from obliterating the rule prohibiting a company from owning all the major news outlets in the same market.

Companies had been barred from owning a newspaper, television station and radio station in the same market. The FCC amended the rule in December, making it possible for a newspaper, broadcast outlet and Internet service provider to be owned by a single company in the same market.

The FCC wrote the new rule in a way to ensure not only that the largest corporations will be encouraged to trade news outlets to achieve market dominance, but also to try to extend that reach into multiple markets.

The House should understand what Reichert and Inslee already know: Media consolidation puts what Americans read, hear and see into the hands of a couple of bottom-line-driven corporations, which is not a viable structure for a healthy democracy.