Federal Commission Commission Chairman Brendan Carr calls ABC’s decision to permanently suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show ‘hannity.’
Over the past 20 years, Big Tech and Big Media have used their market power to force California prices and accounts on the American people. But thanks to President Trump, companies like Google are losing their grip on the ecosystem.
His justice department is cracking down on Google’s internet news publishers. His trading commission is fighting the conservative scrutiny of social media. And his Federal Communications Commission, under Chairman Brendan Carr, is empowering local broadcasters to better compete with Big Tech and Big Media.
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is looking at not using local news broadcasters, according to Mike Davis. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/Getty Images)
While credibility in “Maintream” Media is in Free Fall, local Television news stations remain trusted by the communities that serve them. But these local agencies have been unnecessarily enlightened by outdated laws that weaken broadcasters to the benefit of YouTube and NBC. Carr goes further to satiate local broadcasters by working to end ownership of 1940s-era national television.
That law prevents any channel group from having a combined channel reach more than 39% of American homes. It’s a good thing from the moment broadcasters participate in the flow of information. For decades, Americans had only three channels to choose from.
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Today, broadcasters compete with a growing number of media outlets – from cable and satellite TV to broadcast and social media platforms. However, only broadcasters face this limitation of transplanting to their audience. This long-overdue law has disrupted investment in broadcasting and local news at a time when Americans need it most.
While hurting local broadcasters, the law only serves to increase the power of Big Tech and Big Media. YouTube TV is eating up the television market, and networks like NBC can lose a lot of money to local stations while forcing them to manage the fake invisible diversity of those stations’ audiences.
Google is accused of using anticompetitive tactics to enable illegal search and advertising markets. (Photo by Spencer Platt / Getty Images / Getty Images)
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Carr recognizes the problem. He raised questions about the unfair basis the networks have over local broadcasters.
Importantly, strong local broadcasters may be able to sharpen the programming decisions of national networks. Imagine if ABC and NBC had to produce programs that were broadcast to all Americans, rather than just the sounds of those in Los Angeles and New York City.
President Donald Trump said he is looking forward to meeting Japan’s new prime minister on Saturday. (Photos by Joe Raedle/Getty/Getty Images)
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President Trump is also successfully convincing the media to bring long overdue money into the public square. Ending the Broadcast National Countryship Cap would be a critical step in the implementation of that legacy. Carr should move quickly to repeal this rule, and the White House should put its full support behind him in this effort.
President Trump has Big Tech and Big Media on their heels. Now is the time for the FCC to push forward.
