The Government Shouldn’t Pick Winners and Losers in Media

Key Points:

• The FCC voted to eliminate the longstanding 39 percent national ownership cap on local broadcast networks, allowing greater media consolidation, a move aligned with the Trump-era FCC's deregulatory approach.
• Opponents argue the FCC lacks legal authority to lift the cap without Congressional approval and warn this could lead to media monopolies, job cuts for journalists, and a decline in local news quality.
• The FCC plans to evaluate media deals on a case-by-case basis, but concerns arise over the potential for biased decision-making by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who has shown partisan tendencies in the past.
• The debate over media ownership extends to high-profile mergers like Paramount/Warner Bros., where political concerns about stewardship of outlets like CNN complicate antitrust and regulatory scrutiny.
• The article also highlights actor Colin Farrell’s nuanced performance in "Miami Vice" and promotes the TV show "Sugar" on Apple TV, showcasing Farrell’s range and depth as an actor.