"The trend toward media consolidation threatens to silence the diversity of voices that underpin the marketplace of ideas upon which our democracy ultimately depends. The Resolution approved by the Senate today will help preserve that marketplace.
"Our democracy relies upon the free and open exchange of ideas, and a media diverse enough to give voice to the 300 million Americans who make up this great nation. That is why I am an original cosponsor of the resolution to overturn the FCC's decision to end the media cross-ownership ban.
"Ending this ban means that the dominant newspaper in a community could merge with the top broadcaster in the same community, undoubtedly narrowing the scope of coverage of local issues. Nowhere is this risk more apparent than in rural states like Maine, where media consolidation in the radio industry has eliminated much local content. We cannot allow the error made in the radio industry to be repeated in broadcast and print media nationwide."