Republican Congressman Greg Walden and Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth introduced the bill Wednesday. If approved, it would eliminate the FCC’s ban on owning a broadcast radio or television station and a newspaper in the same market. NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith was quick to approve the move…
Smith said, “NAB applauds Chairman Walden, Rep. Yarmuth and their bipartisan cosponsors for introducing a bill to eliminate the broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership rule. This legislation is an important step towards aligning outdated broadcast ownership rules with Americans’ 21st century information needs. For too long, radio and television broadcasters have been saddled with archaic regulations preventing them from investing in newspaper ownership. Striking this cross-ownership ban would save journalism jobs, create more investigative reporting and provide communities with greater local news.”
