Approximately 20 conservative groups have written to the FCC urging repeal of its media ownership regulations. They say this would allow broadcasters to “better achieve the scale and efficiencies necessary to compete.”
“While these rules may have served the public interest in last century’s marketplace, they have long since become antiquated and harmful by stifling investment and innovation in broadcasting,” they wrote to Chairman Brendan Carr.
“We encourage the commission to expeditiously repeal these regulations, specifically the 39% national television cap, local TV duopoly rules and local radio ownership caps.”
The National Association of Broadcasters welcomed this support in its campaign to have those rules changed or removed, and it posted a link to the full letter.
The groups include Heritage Action for America, Americans for Tax Reform and National Taxpayers Union. The groups noted that Carr has a record of supporting broadcast regulatory reform. “Without reform, valued local broadcast radio and television services could disappear entirely,” they wrote.
“By eliminating the national television cap, local TV duopoly restrictions and local radio ownership caps, broadcasters can better achieve the scale and efficiencies necessary to compete — and to attract vital investment — in a fragmented and rapidly evolving information market.”
So far, support for the idea has shaped up as mostly, though not entirely, from Republicans. Recently, 22 of the Senate’s 53 GOP members expressed support. Last month 69 Republicans and four Democrats in the House sent a similar letter to Carr.
If this question comes down to a party-line FCC vote, Carr will have to wait until the commission is fully seated. At present there are two Republicans and two Democrats. Republican Olivia Trusty awaits full Senate confirmation. Democrat Geoffrey Starks has indicated that he plans to leave but has not set a date.
