Organizations Urge FCC to Modernize Ownership Rules

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Four major organizations representing minority and local community interests have sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging swift action to modernize the nation's broadcast ownership regulations.

The letter, signed by leaders from the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, MANA - A National Latina Organization, the National Urban League, and the Hispanic Federation, calls on the FCC to repeal the 39 percent national television ownership cap and update local radio and television ownership rules to reflect today's competitive media landscape.

"As organizations representing the interests of local and diverse communities across the country and voracious consumers of local broadcast media, we write in strong support of your efforts to modernize the Federal Communications Commission's regulations governing broadcast ownership," the groups wrote. "Today's media ecosystem has drastically changed, and regulations must modernize with the times, specifically by repealing the 39 percent national television cap and modernizing the local television and local radio ownership rules."

The letter emphasizes that outdated restrictions, originally designed for a mid-20th-century media environment, now disadvantage local broadcasters who compete against global technology companies operating without comparable regulations. "If local broadcasters hope to compete, we need your immediate help to level the regulatory playing field," the groups stated. "Otherwise, valued local broadcast radio and television programming could disappear entirely."

The organizations also underscored the vital role local broadcasters play in delivering trusted news, emergency alerts, community information, and diverse viewpoints that social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube cannot replicate. "Local broadcasters care about covering the local Friday night football games, Sunday morning religious services, local evening news and morning traffic and weather reports before viewers and listeners start their day," the letter said.

The push from community organizations adds to growing momentum for reform. In March, more than 550 radio and television broadcasters from all 50 states traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for ownership rule modernization during meetings with members of Congress. Last month, a bipartisan group of 73 U.S. House members, led by Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), also sent a letter to the FCC urging immediate action.

More information on the effort to modernize broadcast ownership rules can be found here.