To the Point

FCC to Vote on Media Ownership

Imagine a media landscape in which our vast number of independent film and television studios, broadcast networks, cable channels and newspapers were replaced by perhaps six massive conglomerates. That is precisely what worries opponents of proposed rule changes by the Federal Communications Commission. On June 2, the five-member agency is scheduled to vote on whether to liberalize or even eliminate rules governing how many radio and TV stations one company can own. The FCC is also poised to change the rule that now bans co-ownership of broadcast stations and newspapers in the same city. Guest host Judy Muller, of ABC News, speaks with members of the nonprofit Center for Digital Democracy, the FCC, the Writers Guild of America and the Tribune Company about potentially revolutionary changes ahead for media ownership in the US. Making News: President Bush Nearly Declares War Over The Pentagon says three more members of Saddam Hussein's regime are in custody today, including one of his most trusted aides and the official in charge of developing weapons. This, after President Bush-s speech last night in which he came very close to declaring the war in Iraq over. Karen de Young, who's traveling with the President for the Washington Post, says legal ramifications are the reason for Bush's carefully parsed message. Repoter's Notebook: Seabiscuit: We Got Your Horse Right Here Tomorrow marks the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby. Though Empire Maker and Buddy Gil will make their run for the roses, much of the talk will be about a horse that's been dead and gone for nearly 60 years. Laura Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscuit: An American Legend and consultant to an upcoming Steven Spielberg film about the racing legend, has more on one of radio's first racing star and how he figures in this year's race.