FCC rolls back media regulations in move that critics say benefits Sinclair
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday voted to roll back restrictions on media ownership, a proposal that critics say is helping to pave the way for a controversial merger and further consolidation in the industry.
The commission’s party-line vote clears the way for the common ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations in the same market. The proposal also eliminates a rule that prohibited television stations in the same market from merging if such a deal would leave less than eight different stations in that market.
The move has incensed critics, who see it as part of Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s efforts to benefit the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which is awaiting approval from the agency for its purchase of Tribune Media. The $3.9 billion deal that would let the combined company access 72 percent of the country’s television audience.
This week, Democratic lawmakers have called for the FCC’s inspector general to investigate whether Pai has been improperly trying to benefit Sinclair. A group of Senate Democrats on Wednesday called on Pai to recuse himself from Thursday’s vote and any other agency matters that affect Sinclair.
http://thehill.com/policy/technology/360665-fcc-rolls-back-media-regulations-in-move-that-critics-say-benefits-sinclair?rnd=1510858070