The Short:
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) headed by Ajit Pai, which is on a de-regulatory mission, took a major step on Thursday in a 3-2 vote to allow consolidation of media companies. Another 3-2 vote relaxed regulations that force phone companies to maintain their aging copper infrastructure.
The Long:
A four-decade-old ban on cross-ownership of a TV station and a newspaper in a major market has been voted out 3-2 by the Republican-led FCC.
In fact, it’s now also easier for a media company to buy more TV stations in the same market, and additional radio stations in some markets. The rule change also lets local stations team up and sell advertising time jointly.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai called it “utter nonsense” that, despite huge shifts in media over the last forty years, rules such as those banning cross-ownership of a broadcast station and a newspaper were still in existence.
Another 3-2 vote at the FCC on Thursday loosened regulations that require phone companies to keep maintaining their old copper networks. Mr. Pai said that the move would allow phone companies to upgrade to fiber, making way for faster broadband services.
==========
Hey, thanks for visiting! We’re just a small team working extra-hard to help you cut to the chase on the most important news from around the world, so we’d appreciate your help spreading the word. Come join us on: Facebook and Twitter
