O'Rielly Wants Action on Media Ownership Rules, Not Because of Sinclair/Tribune

FCC review and updating of media ownership rules is “long overdue” and not precipitated by Sinclair buying Tribune, blogged Commissioner Mike O’Rielly Friday, referring to perception deregulation efforts are connected to the takeover. The deal is “in no way the catalyst for FCC action on these issues,” O’Rielly said. Such reviews are statutorily required and requested in petitions for reconsideration, and relaxing the “shoddy” rules is a cause he has long supported, he said. “It’s not a new position or reaction to a pending application. Instead, for the first time, we finally have a Chairman receptive to these ideas.” In considering ownership rules, the FCC should “reasonably define markets” to account for competition from internet-based entities such as over-the-top services and social media platforms, O’Rielly said. The agency should also go after cross-ownership bans and rules that prevent duopolies, he said. “To my friends who think we need regulations to ensure a diversity of viewpoints, here’s a newsflash: you are regulating the wrong market. Today, with thousands of new options, how can the FCC justify maintaining this rule in its current form?” O’Rielly said. The agency also should do away with additional restrictions as it did the UHF discount, O’Rielly said. Without mentioning the national ownership cap closely associated with the UHF discount, he said that “the Commission must resist calls that are counter to our goals of modernization and/or often outside the scope of our authority.” O’Rielly repeatedly has said he doesn’t believe the FCC has the authority to tackle the national cap. The agency should go beyond the petitions for reconsideration in relaxing media ownership, he said. “It’s possible that procedurally we may be unable to address all of our media ownership rules now, but we must tee them up for future consideration.” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel spoke against relaxing media ownership rules on Oct. 13 (see 1710120057).