FCC Rule Changes Would Lead To Less Local News

In October, Florida PIRG was joined by Dr. Andy Opel, a communications professor at Florida State University, and other allied groups to release a new analysis of media ownership in Florida.

The study found that local communities in Florida will have less local news if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relaxes or eliminates current limitations on media ownership.

The report examines what would happen if the largest newspaper and largest TV station in Miami, Tallahassee and Panama City merged. This would be allowed to happen if a pending FCC proposal moves forward. The report found that any cross media merger involving the top two firms in each mediamarket would increase media concentration in excess of the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission’s Merger Guidelines.

“Bigger, and fewer, media outlets with less interest in local news would be bad for Florida’s consumers and bad for democracy,” said Rich Templin, longtime media activist and Communication Director for the AFL-CIO.

“Any public policy seeking to protect local media content must recognize the simple fact that limitations on media consolidation have played a critical role in balancing the public service mission of the media with their private profit motives,” added Brad Ashwell, advocate for Florida PIRG.