US media ownership rules might change for the first time in decades

The US communications regulator is asking for public comment on its rules about who can own how many radio and TV stations. This could lead to fewer restrictions on media companies, allowing them to own more outlets in the same market or across different networks.

For decades, these rules have limited how much media power a single company can accumulate in one place. Loosening them would allow larger media conglomerates to form, potentially reducing local competition and the diversity of voices. This review is a regular, legally mandated process, but it often becomes a battleground for media companies seeking to expand and public interest groups trying to preserve local media.