On March 31, 2025, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led over 50 colleagues in a bipartisan effort addressing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). They sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, advocating for significant changes to ownership rules they believe are hindering broadcasters nationwide.
The lawmakers emphasized that, while the FCC has made minor updates over the years, the core ownership regulations have remained mostly the same since the 1990s. This, they argue, limits broadcasters’ capabilities to innovate and invest in local content. “While the FCC has made incremental adjustments over the decades, the fundamental ownership restrictions have remained largely unchanged since the 1990s, imposing undue constraints on broadcasters’ ability to innovate and invest in local content,” the lawmakers wrote.
They further highlighted the disparity between broadcasters and large technology platforms. “Today, any one of the largest Big Tech platforms dwarfs the entire broadcast industry – yet they are held to no similar limitations on their reach,” they stated. According to the letter, this imbalance makes it challenging for broadcasters to compete for advertising revenue and audience engagement.
The group of lawmakers concluded by stressing the importance of reforming these outdated rules to ensure the viability and competitiveness of broadcasters, and to support their role in democracy. “Reforming outdated ownership rules is essential to ensuring that broadcasters remain viable, competitive, and capable of fulfilling their essential role in American democracy. By modernizing these regulations, the FCC can empower broadcasters to better serve their communities, promote local journalism, and compete in the modern media marketplace,” they concluded.
The full letter and additional coverage can be found on Politico.
