Senate Democrats, Sanders Blast Pai on Handling of Media Ownership Rules, Sinclair/Tribune
Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., 22 other Senate Democrats and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., jointly criticized FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's handling of media ownership rules, saying in a Friday letter he has taken “actions to weaken or…
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eliminate” the limits, particularly in ways that favor Sinclair's proposed purchase of Tribune. They voiced concerns the FCC is seeking to change media ownership rules without “detailed” and “substantive” evaluation. House Commerce Democratic leaders sought further information from Pai Friday on their concerns about Sinclair/Tribune (see 1709290063). The senators' letter to Pai came a day after Nelson and others blasted Pai on the Senate floor ahead of and after a vote to invoke cloture on Pai's reconfirmation to another five-year term (see 1709280056). FCC restoration of the UHF discount “directly contradicts Congress’ intent in adopting a statutory national media ownership cap,” the lawmakers wrote: “This action has facilitated” Sinclair/Tribune. “Many find the timing of your media ownership actions troubling and question whether they were essential to the business plans of a single company,” the senators said. “It is obvious that without your change to the UHF discount, this proposed merger would not have been initiated. Whether or not one believes your reinstatement of the discount to be suspect, that action raises serious doubts about whether the FCC is acting impartially in these matters.” The FCC didn't comment.