Broadcasters Need Ownership Reform to Remain Viable, NAB Says
The FCC’s long retention of local ownership rules “depended upon the agency closing its eyes and covering its ears” said NAB Senior Deputy General Counsel Jerianne Timmerman in a blog post Friday. “Broadcasters and newspaper owners must compete with myriad…
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other outlets for viewers, listeners, readers and advertisers.” Relaxing the media ownership rules (see 1710260049) will increase broadcasters’ ability to remain in business in the face of mounting competition, she said. A broadcaster’s ability to function in the public interest is premised on broadcasting remaining an economically viable business, Timmerman said. “The reformed local TV rule will permit two local stations to combine and jointly bear the substantial costs of maintaining local news operations,” she said. The proposed rule changes show the FCC “not only recognizes the realities of the 21st century media marketplace, but also is willing to take the manufactured political heat that will undoubtedly accompany this update of the rules,” Timmerman said.