The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently approved Nexstar Media Group's $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna, a move that has sparked intense debate and raised concerns about media ownership and local journalism. This decision, made by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, allows Nexstar to exceed the national TV station ownership limit, reaching an unprecedented 80% of US households. The approval comes despite opposition from state attorneys general and media advocacy groups, who argue that the FCC lacks the authority to grant such a waiver and that it undermines local news and viewpoint diversity.
The story begins with the Trump-era FCC's decision to reinstate the UHF discount, a rule that counts only half of the households reached by a UHF station. This change effectively allowed Nexstar to comply with the 39% ownership cap, even though its stations already reached 70% of US TV households. The FCC's Media Bureau found that it has the authority to waive the rule, citing the potential for increased investment in local news coverage and programming of local interest.
However, critics argue that the FCC's action is an abuse of authority and that only Congress can lift the 39% cap. The Telecommunications Act of 1996, amended in 2004, explicitly barred the FCC from granting waivers to this limit. The United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, Public Knowledge, Free Press, and the Communications Workers of America have all voiced their opposition, emphasizing the importance of local journalism and viewpoint diversity.
The impact of this merger is already being felt in local markets. Nexstar has a history of consolidating news operations, merging newsrooms, and cutting staff in areas where it operates multiple stations. This raises concerns about the future of local news and the potential loss of jobs. Additionally, the FCC's approval process has been criticized for its lack of transparency and public accountability, with no full commission vote or open deliberation.
The approval of this merger has sparked a heated debate about the role of the FCC and the future of media ownership in the United States. While some argue that it will bring more competition and investment in local news, others fear that it will lead to further consolidation of media power and a potential threat to local journalism and community control.
