Bill Introduced to Repeal Cross-Ownership Ban

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Incoming House Energy & Commerce Committee chair Greg Walden (R-OR) and Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) have introduced a bill to repeal the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership ban, reports Broadcasting & Cable. Current FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the Democratically controlled Commission left the rule in place, which dates back to 1975, in the recent quadrennial ownership review, despite requests from both sides of the political spectrum that it was outdated.

The rule prevents TV and radio stations from owning a daily newspaper in the same market without a grandfather clause or waiver. The FCC in 2003 under then-Chairman Michael Powell, found the rule no longer in the public interest, but that decision was challenged in court and was not the conclusion of the Democratic majority under Wheeler.

"This bipartisan effort finally acknowledges that our current media landscape is far different than it was nearly 50 years ago," said Rep. Yarmuth in a statement. "As we've seen the rise in fake news and its consequences, it is increasingly important that we do all we can to protect legitimate sources of news. This legislation would give media entities the flexibility they need to compete and grow in this challenging marketplace."

"Times have changed, and it's critical our media ownership rules keep pace with the innovation era," said Rep. Walden, a former broadcaster. "This bipartisan bill is just the latest in our continued efforts to modernize outdated rules and promote investment in the communications sector. Eliminating this relic of the disco era will provide much needed flexibility to the many newspapers and broadcasters throughout the country that provide important local news coverage and encourage greater investment in original journalism."

"NAB applauds Chairman Walden, Rep. Yarmuth and their bipartisan cosponsors for introducing a bill to eliminate the broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership rule," said NAB President Gordon Smith. "This legislation is an important step towards aligning outdated broadcast ownership rules with Americans' 21st century information needs. For too long, radio and television broadcasters have been saddled with archaic regulations preventing them from investing in newspaper ownership."