Telecommunications Act of 1996 - Later Criticism

Later Criticism

In later years, criticism of the Telecommunications Act continued. That year, one commentator, Warren J. Sirota criticized the media's coverage of the bill and noted one provision that hadn't been covered. He wrote that: "Rightfully, this major change in the nation's regulatory structure is receiving considerable media and press attention. Unfortunately...most of the attention is going to the wrong issue, the Decency Act." He described this provision as "blatantly unconstitutional" and noted that it would "shape our future" by eliminating "barriers between the industry's segments, e.g., local and long distance services, broadcast and cable television, etc."

The now-defunct Kill Your Television website that advocated people Turn Off Their Television sets, had a criticism of the law as well. They wrote:

"...thanks to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the business is about to get :bigger...Mergers, takeovers and acquisitions are becoming the norm in the television :industry. The new law has stripped down the television ownership rules so much, that :big media players will can be more aggressive in buying out smaller stations...A new :legislative fight is brewing on the horizon as the broadcast industry gears up for :the introduction of digital television...The Telecommunications Act...highlights include: Deregulation of most cable TV rates by 1999...End the FCC partial ban on broadcast networks owning cable systems...Extends TV and radio station license terms to eight years...Eases one-to-a-market rule to allow ownership of TV and radio combos...in the top 50 markets."

In the 2003 edition of his book, A People's History of the United States, Howard Zinn wrote about alternative media, community newspapers and the creation of street newspapers trying the break the corporate control of information. On that topic, he talked about the Telecommunications Act of 1996:

"...the Telecommunications Act of 1996...enabled the handful of corporations :dominating the airwaves to expand their power further. Mergers enabled tighter :control of information...The Latin American writer Eduardo Galeano :commented..."Never have so many been held incommunicado by so few."