FCC Cross-Ownership Rule Relaxation Proposal Withdrawn

On Second Thought....

FCC Chairman TOM WHEELER has withdrawn the draft proposal of new ownership rules that would have relaxed the cross-ownership rules banning ownership of radio stations and a newspaper or smaller TV stations and a newspaper in the same market, reports THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

The proposal surfaced over a year ago, offered by former Chairman JULIUS GENACHOWSKI, who delayed the order in FEBRUARY while a study from the MINORITY MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL was pending.  The study was released in JUNE and supported the proposal, drawing objections from groups opposed to the plan.  WHEELER reportedly decided to pull the plan off the table while the Commission reconsiders the issue and the deadline for the quadrennial ownership rules review looms; the panel has seen substantial turnover in the interim.

« see more Net News