The outcome was well known for weeks, however on Thursday the FCC officially released its 200-page order on Media Ownership Rules. The rules are supposed to be examined by the government agency every four years to see if the changes in the media marketplace warrant modifications or rule changes. Many believe the FCC hardly took a look at the rules and rubber stamped what was already on the books simply to get it over with. For the most part, the existing rules, with minor modifications, were approved by a 3-2 vote. Here’s what the FCC concluded…
“Based on our careful review of the record, we find that the public interest is best served by retaining our existing rules, with some minor modifications. These rules promote competition and a diversity of viewpoints in local markets, thereby enriching local communities through the promotion of distinct and antagonistic voices. Ideally, our media landscape should be diverse because our population is diverse, and retaining the existing media ownership rules is one way in which the Commission can help to promote such diversity. The record in this proceeding leads us to conclude that retaining the existing rules is the best way to promote our policy goals in local markets at this time.”
And with that, the Commission says it brings to a close the 2010 and 2014 Quadrennial Review proceedings, maintaining strong media ownership rules which take steps to help promote small business participation in the broadcast industry.
You can read the entire 199-page document HERE
