To repeal the limitations on multiple ownership of radio and television stations imposed by the Federal Communications Commission, to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from limiting common ownership of daily newspapers and full-power broadcast stations, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · May 8, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
This bill would significantly relax media ownership rules by eliminating the Federal Communications Commission's limits on how many radio or television stations a single person or company can own, and would prohibit the FCC from restricting common ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations. The legislation also amends antitrust law to prevent market share in broadcasting or newspaper markets from being considered when evaluating whether mergers substantially reduce competition. Additionally, the bill creates a four-year safe harbor that allows news organizations to collectively negotiate with large online platforms like Google and Facebook regarding content distribution terms without risking antitrust penalties, as long as these negotiations focus on quality and fairness rather than just price and treat similar news outlets equally. The bill affects media companies, online tech platforms, and potentially news consumers by altering the competitive landscape of local and national media ownership.
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