Bipartisan Push to Update FCC Broadcast Ownership Rules

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, March 31, 2025

U.S. Congress

In a strong bipartisan effort, 73 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09), have formally requested the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise the longstanding broadcast ownership regulations, which they argue significantly disadvantage local radio and TV stations. The group's initiative highlights the stark disparities faced by traditional broadcasters in comparison to largely unregulated Big Tech companies.

"America's local TV and radio stations are facing a radically transformed media landscape where global tech giants operate without restriction while local stations remain shackled by decades-old rules," explained NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. He added, "NAB is grateful to Rep. Hudson and his bipartisan colleagues for urging the FCC to bring its ownership regulations into the modern era. Quickly updating these rules is essential to preserving local journalism, strengthening public safety and ensuring that broadcasters can continue to serve the communities that rely on them every day."

The letter sent to the FCC stresses the critical need for regulatory modernization to allow broadcasters to remain competitive and viable in the current media environment. According to the letter, "Reforming outdated ownership rules is essential to ensuring that broadcasters remain viable, competitive, and capable of fulfilling their essential role in American democracy. By modernizing these regulations, the FCC can empower broadcasters to better serve their communities, promote local journalism, and compete in the modern media marketplace. Updating these rules is not just an urgent economic necessity, it is a public service imperative."

The move is part of the NAB's broader "Modernize the Rules" campaign which seeks an overhaul of broadcast ownership regulations that currently limit broadcasters' ability to grow, invest in local journalism, and compete for advertising revenue and talent. This campaign underscores the significant role local stations play in public safety and as trusted sources of information, advocating for a level playing field that allows them to effectively compete with tech giants.

The coalition of lawmakers, spanning a wide political spectrum, underscores the bipartisan acknowledgment of the necessity for regulatory updates to support the crucial role of broadcasters in fostering civic engagement, government accountability, and public safety awareness. The group's appeal to the FCC is a clear call for swift action to address regulatory imbalances and ensure the sustainability of local broadcasting in the digital age.