Assess the potential impact of the FCC's new broadcast ownership rules

Overview: The Federal Communications Commission voted on Monday to give companies more power to own media outlets, such as television stations and newspapers. Some critics fear the decision will give media companies too much power in dominating U.S. markets.

After students read "FCC decision gives companies more power over media" present the following questions:

RESOURCES • FCC Sets Limits on Media Concentration  • The Federal Communications Commission  • CNN/Money: FCC adopts media ownership rules

1. What is the FCC? What new rules did the FCC adopt on Monday? What do these new rules mean for media companies and consumers? Why are some people concerned about the new broadcast ownership rules?

2. Help students brainstorm a list of local newspapers and national and local TV and radio news programs. Next, divide your class into small groups and assign each group one of the news sources from the list. Instruct each group to monitor its show's or newspaper's coverage of the news for one week. Instruct each group to keep a log of the main national and local news stories covered by the show or newspaper. Direct groups to identify whether there is a political slant or bias in the way the news is covered. After groups make formal presentations of their findings, have students identify the similarities and differences in how the media outlets covered different news stories. Following the discussion, remind students of the FCC's new ruling and ask: In your opinion, is there a problem with one or two media groups having control over the dissemination of information? State your rationale.