The FCC needs ownership impact studies of the...

The FCC needs ownership impact studies of the same caliber as it’s study of critical information needs (CIN) to make an informed decision on media ownership rules, said the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights in an ex parte filing Wednesday (http://bit.ly/1ffvAzZ). The conference also urged Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to ensure that the tests of the CIN research protocols are finished on time and that the full study is completed by the end of 2014. The commission should also take an accurate measure of the impact of the incentive auction on broadcast ownership diversity, the filing said. The incentive auction “has already had a devastating impact on diverse broadcast ownership, as many broadcast owners of color have already sold their stations to private equity firms,” said the conference. The commission should “find ways to increase participation in the forward looking auction by women and entrepreneurs of color."