NAA responds to Federal Court ruling on media ownership

Court affirms FCC on repeal of newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban, but remands new cross-media rules

Newspaper Association of America President and CEO John F. Sturm issued the following statement on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision.

“NAA is disappointed with the court decision to remand the FCC’s new cross-media rules, but is pleased the court found that the FCC’s repeal of the old 1975 across-the-board ban on newspaper ownership of broadcast stations is fully justified.”

The court said the commission’s repeal of the 1975 ban was supported by record evidence. It also found that newspaper-broadcast combinations can provide localism and that a blanket prohibition is not necessary to protect diversity.

“It is noteworthy that the court agreed with the commission’s analysis of virtually all of our arguments pertaining to the old cross-ownership ban. We will, of course, advocate vigorously the industry’s position that no further restrictions are necessary in the upcoming remand proceeding at the FCC,” said Sturm.