Central ND News

Despite some changes by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to its broadcast ownership rules, these regulations remain largely unchanged since the 1990s. The adjustments made do not adequately address the impact of digital platforms, social media, streaming services, and smartphones on the broadcasting landscape.

Local broadcasters continue to serve as reliable sources for credible reporting but are constrained by outdated ownership restrictions. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas have sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urging an update of these rules to help local broadcasters compete with large media conglomerates. The letter supports Chairman Carr's description of the current situation as a “break glass moment” for local media.

The letter specifically urges the FCC to eliminate the national audience reach cap, revise local television ownership limits, and modernize local radio station sub-caps. The national audience reach cap restricts a single entity from owning TV stations that collectively reach more than 39% of U.S. TV households. Another rule, known as the "Top 4" rule, limits a company’s ability to own more than one of the major four broadcast TV networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.

Local radio ownership sub-caps further restrict organizations by limiting how many stations they can own in a market based on total market size. In markets with over 45 stations, entities may own up to eight stations but no more than five within the same service type (AM or FM).

“The fast-evolving media marketplace has made broadcast ownership regulations in urgent need of modernization,” stated the senators in their letter. They noted that local broadcasters now compete not only with each other but also with major tech companies globally.

The senators argue that without opportunities to expand operations through mergers or acquisitions, broadcasters face challenges in investing in journalism and maintaining adequate newsroom staff while competing against unregulated global tech competitors. They assert that updating these rules will empower broadcasters to better serve American democracy and benefit local communities by fostering strong journalism practices.

Other signatories include Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Todd Young (R-IN).