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  2. November 2017

November 2017

The crisis in local news

The economic strains on local news have forced local outlets to close, shutter their print editions or consolidate into major holding groups, often headquartered in far-away cities. Most recently, billionaire Joe Ricketts' decision to shut down local city coverage site DNAInfo and Gothamist in response to employees voting to unionize has called into question how local news outlets can survive through conflicting business interests of ownership. The cuts are the latest of local coverage setbacks this month.

Maryland AG: Sinclair, Tribune TV merger is a ‘bad deal’

Maryland’s attorney general opposes the proposed merger between Sinclair Broadcasting Group and rival TV station operator Tribune Media.  Attorney General Brian E. Frosh filed comments Nov 3 with the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that the merger would lead to fewer options for consumers and higher prices. Frosh also asked the FCC to delay their decision on the merger until a court decides how to calculate national audience reach.

FEC Pushes Tech Giants for Comment

Federal Election Commission member Ellen Weintraub issued personal requests to Facebook, Google and Twitter to submit a comment aimed at helping inform a rulemaking the FEC is doing on internet ad disclosures. Commissioner Weintraub notes the urgency, since the comment deadline is Nov 9.

Sponsor 

New America

November 9, 2017

12:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Date 
Thu, 11/09/2017 - 18:00 to 19:45

Just eight years after completing the analog-to-digital TV transition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to authorize a transition to “Next-Gen TV,” with a vote scheduled for the agency’s open meeting on Nov. 16. The proposed order would authorize a “voluntary” transition that would not immediately force consumers to buy a new TV. Still, contentious issues remain in play concerning whether some viewers will lose local channels and whether pay TV providers or consumers will ultimately bear other costs related to the transition.


Think of the Public Before the Broadcasters

[Commentary] As the son of a broadcast pioneer who got his license from the Department of Commerce in 1923 and as a former broadcaster myself, I read with great sadness “FCC to Lift Limits on Media Deals.” Although Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai justifies his proposal by saying it will lead to more news gathering locally and more news for consumers, my experience tells me it will be the opposite. First, viewers and listeners don’t need more news, they need better news.

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