HONOLULU – Media Council Hawai`i (MCH) said today that Raycom
Media of Alabama and other companies involved in the merger of KGMB,
KHNL and KFVE are attempting to cut off community voices and opinions
from reaching the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). MCH,
however, wants Hawaii’s communities and leaders to know what is
unfolding.
MCH will hold a public forum on Dec. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
featuring MCH attorney Angela Campbell from The Institute for Public
Representation (IPR) Georgetown Law. Ms. Campbell will provide an
update on the legal proceedings. This will be followed by a general
discussion on what the community would like to see in local television and
local news.
The forum will take place at Studio 909, 949 Kapi`olani Blvd. The cost for
the forum and bento lunch is $20. A limited number of scholarships are
available on a first-come, first-served basis. Information about the forum
can be found at https://www.mediacouncil.org and reservations at
info@mediacouncil.org or by phone to 808.596.2121.
MCH has filed a complaint against the merger that is currently pending
before the FCC.
Given the amount of public concern about the merger, MCH also asked the
FCC to designate the matter as “permit-but-disclose” under the FCC rules.
By designating the matter as “permit-but-disclose,” it would be easier for
the public and the stations to learn about communications from the public
about the Raycom deal.
On November 9, 2009, attorneys representing Raycom Media and HITV
told the FCC they oppose the public telling the FCC what it thinks about the
merger and requested that the public input be curtailed. On November 16,
2009, MCH attorneys filed a response defending continued community
involvement in the case. (See attached documents.)
Raycom and its partners told the FCC that “