III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 73 

Reaffirming the commitment to media diversity and pledging to work with 

media entities and diverse stakeholders to develop common ground solutions to eliminate barriers to media diversity. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 

Ms. ROSEN (for herself and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

RESOLUTION 

Reaffirming the commitment to media diversity and pledging 

to work with media entities and diverse stakeholders 

to develop common ground solutions to eliminate barriers 

to media diversity. 

Whereas the principle that an informed and engaged electorate is critical to a vibrant democracy is deeply rooted 

in our laws of free speech and underpins the virtues on 

which we established our Constitution, ‘‘in Order to form 

a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic 

Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the 

general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to 

ourselves and our Posterity. . .’’; 

Whereas having independent, diverse, and local media that 

provide exposure to a broad range of viewpoints and the 


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•SRES 73 IS 

ability to contribute to the political debate is central to 

sustaining that informed engagement; 

Whereas it is in the public interest to encourage source, content, and audience diversity on our Nation’s shared telecommunications and media platforms; 

Whereas the survival of small, independent, and diverse 

media outlets that serve diverse audiences and local 

media markets is essential to preserving local culture and 

building understanding on important community issues 

that impact the daily lives of residents; 

Whereas research by the American Society of News Editors, 

the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Pew 

Research Center, and others has documented the continued challenges of increasing diversity among all types of 

media entities; 

Whereas with increasing media experience and sophistication, 

it is even more important to have minority participation 

in local media to ensure a diverse range of information 

sources are available and different ideas and viewpoints 

are expressed to strengthen social cohesion among different communities; and 

Whereas the constriction in small, independent, and diverse 

media outlets and limited participation of diverse populations in media ownership and decisionmaking are combining to negatively impact our goal of increasing local 

civic engagement and civic knowledge through increased 

voter participation, membership in civic groups, and 

knowledge of local political and civil information: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 73 IS 

1 (1) reaffirms its commitment to diversity as a 

2 core tenet of the public interest standard in media 

3 policy; and 

4 (2) pledges to work with media entities and di5 verse stakeholders to develop common ground solu6 tions to eliminate barriers to media diversity. 

Æ 


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