United States of America

FCC Scraps 39% TV Ownership Cap in 2-1 Vote

Is this a smart modernization move or a dangerous gift to media consolidators?

Published 12 hours ago

FCC Scraps 39% TV Ownership Cap in 2-1 Vote

story

Above: Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr at the Federal Communications Commission headquarters on Feb. 18 Image credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

The 39% TV ownership cap is a relic from a pre-streaming era that puts broadcasters at a massive disadvantage against Big Tech giants with no such restrictions. Lifting the cap means more scale for local stations, which translates directly to more local news and reporting that Americans actually trust. The FCC is finally modernizing a rule that has no business existing in today's media landscape.

Trump FCC on X Fox Business Reason.com

Democratic narrative

This vote bulldozes a Congressional mandate without Congressional approval, setting up an almost-certain legal challenge. Eliminating this rule hands massive media consolidators like Sinclair even more power to gobble up local stations, gutting diversity in ownership and viewpoint. The FCC is ignoring its own oversight obligations to deliver a gift to the biggest players in broadcasting.

Common Dreams CNN