News Media Alliance to FCC: Stronger Industry Is Best Fake News Defense

The News Media Alliance, the principal newspaper association, has told the Federal Communications Commission there is no "rational explanation" for the commission to continue to preserve the 1975 newspaper-broadcast crossownership ban and that to do so limits their ability to be the counterpoint to the current spate of "fake news."

NMA made the point in comments to the FCC in support of the National Association of Broadcasters, which asked the FCC to reconsider its quadrennial media ownership rule review conclusion last summer that the ban should remain in place. NMA says the rule undermines local news and prevents newspapers from competing in a crowded media landscape. The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, which also backs NAB's reconsideration petition, said that the ban limits competition and hurts broadcasters large and small. NMA said the same applies to newspapers, adding: "A threat to newspapers is a threat to the American people."