Mass Deregulation of Media Threatens to Undermine Democracy
Yesterday the FCC declared a free fire zone for media mergers.
Under the old rules,
- no TV-Newspaper mergers were allowed, except where a firm was failing;
- TV duopolies were allowed in about 60 markets that covered about two-thirds of the nation; • Every merger was subject to a rigorous public interest review. Under the new rules,
- TV-newspaper mergers will be allowed in about 200 markets, in which about 98 percent of the American people live.
- TV duopolies and even triopolies will be allowed in over 160 markets covering over 95 percent of the population.
- There will be absolutely no public interest review of mergers.
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