A bipartisan group of 22 United States Senators has formally requested the Federal Communications Commission to revise its regulations concerning broadcast ownership. The senators argue that local radio and television stations are facing increasing competitive pressures from larger digital entities that operate without similar regulatory constraints in the rapidly changing media landscape.
The letter explicitly calls for prompt action from the FCC to establish a more equitable environment for local broadcasters through updated ownership rules. It highlights the critical role of local broadcasting as a primary source of reliable news, particularly given the ongoing decline of newspapers nationwide. The senators emphasize that producing quality news demands significant financial investment, and without the ability to consolidate or expand their operations, broadcasters find it challenging to adequately fund journalism, maintain sufficient news staff, and effectively compete with unregulated global technology corporations.
Momentum for deregulation of ownership limitations is building within Capitol Hill. In April, a similar bipartisan letter signed by 73 members of the House of Representatives was sent to the FCC, advocating for immediate reform. Furthermore, various advocacy organizations, including the National Urban League, Hispanic Federation, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, and MANA, have recently expressed their support for modernizing the ownership rules.
Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, a leading signatory of the Senate letter, stressed the urgent need to update broadcast ownership regulations due to the swift evolution of the media marketplace. He stated that by modernizing these restrictions, the FCC can empower broadcasters to effectively fulfill their crucial role in American democracy, support local journalism, and ultimately benefit local communities and the public interest.
Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, expressed gratitude to Senator Moran and his colleagues for their leadership in urging the FCC to modernize outdated broadcast ownership rules. He noted that these decades-old regulations hinder local stations’ ability to invest in their newsrooms, innovate, and serve their communities effectively. LeGeyt further emphasized that local broadcasters face daily competition from trillion-dollar technology companies while still being restricted by ownership rules that are based on the outdated premise that broadcasters only compete among themselves for audience and advertising. He urged Chairman Carr and the entire Commission to take swift action to empower local stations to continue delivering the most trusted news, emergency information, and essential content that Americans rely on.