By: As expected, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 Monday morning to significantly relax media-ownership rules. The revised rules allow the same company to own both newspapers and TV channels in the largest markets -- reversing a rule instituted in the 1970s. This ban remains in place in smaller cities, however.
Newspaper Association of America President and CEO John F. Sturm issued the following statement:
"NAA applauds the Federal Communications Commission for its decision. While full repeal continues to be NAA's ultimate goal, we believe the Commission, for the first time in more than 25 years, took a significant step today to loosen significantly the regulatory shackles that have prohibited a daily newspaper from owning a broadcast station in the same market.
"The relaxation of the rules will allow newspaper-owned broadcast stations to offer more and better local news and public service programming, as well as all-news formats to radio markets of all sizes. It will positively impact competition in local markets and provide healthy and diverse competition to large radio station owners. Local audiences will be the big winners."
NAA is disappointed the FCC didn't fully repeal the ban, Sturm added, saying he will continue to press for a full repeal.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here