Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement today as the FCC considers the issue of media ownership:

“I urge the commission not to rush to judgment in its media ownership proceeding. Issues of this magnitude and importance deserve nothing less than the full and measured consideration of the chairman and commissioners. The commission's last attempt to craft ownership rules was largely invalidated by an appellate court, and the commission should avoid that outcome in this instance.

"It is my sincere hope that the commission will allow reasonable time for evaluation of the public input received on its media ownership studies and at all of its public hearings before finalizing rules. It is also important that the commission release proposed rules and then allow sufficient time for comment on them before taking final action.”