FCC Urged to Exempt Small TV Stations From Ownership Rule

Federal Communications Commission member Mignon Clyburn, whose vote is needed to change television-station ownership rules, is pushing to ensure smaller companies can win exceptions.

Commissioner Clyburn said she wants “balance” as the agency tightens regulations for controlling more than one station in a market. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, who proposed the change, needs the votes of Commissioners Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel to prevail.

Both Republican commissioners have criticized the measure. Commissioner Clyburn cited a section of law that calls for the FCC to lower barriers for entrepreneurs and small businesses and said she wants “the ability to uphold those standards and those goals.” She declined to say if she would vote for Chairman Wheeler’s proposal.

“This is an item that is still very fluid and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues because we all in the end I believe want the same thing: to achieve balance,” Commissioner Clyburn said.