Genachowski Hopes to Help Resolve PPM Debate

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

Speaking at the NABOB (National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters) last week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said "while the Commission's authority over the core issue is somewhat limited, the NOI sought comment on how the FCC's own use of Arbitron PPM data might impact the integrity of agency analyses and trend reporting, and thus policymaking."

He continued, "The Commission is still reviewing the record. I will be asking the Media Bureau to pull together a roundtable with different stakeholders in this debate in the near future to try to reach greater understanding and perhaps resolution of issues in disagreement."

"While minorities comprise 34% of the U.S. population, studies indicate that they own just 3% of full-power commercial television stations and 8% of full power commercial radio stations," noted Genachowski. "And while women represent 50% of the population, they own only 5% of full power commercial television stations and just 6% of full power radio stations."

Genachowski says these numbers have a "long-time concern of the agency," and he thinks it' important to note that concern about minority and female ownership remains "bipartisan." Even so, he said the Commission lacks good data on the subject.

"The studies I mentioned earlier come from outside sources because the Commission currently does not possess reliable data on the precise status of minority and female ownership. The Commission is working to obtain more accurate and precise ownership data from broadcast stations in order to better assess the status of minority broadcast ownership."