Media Ownership Rules Bad for Diversity, Padden Says
FCC broadcast ownership rules limit competition and end up stymieing diversity, broadcast consultant and former network executive Preston Padden said in a blog post Friday. “Why can’t the FCC see that these TV station ownership restrictions are preventing the creation…
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of meaningful entities of scale that could bring to viewers the benefits of greater competition and diversity?” Padden said. He said repealing the ownership rules would benefit Sinclair Broadcast now, but it could benefit others on the opposite side of the political spectrum later. Many who object to Sinclair/Tribune over Sinclair’s perceived right-wing views also would insist that FCC decisions shouldn’t be based on politics, he said. A commenter on Padden’s blog post who posted as David Amy praised Padden for “not promoting the hysteria around a Sinclair Tribune merger,” and for recognizing that “there are many others including minorities and our viewers that will be the benefactors of deregulation of this fantastic business.” Sinclair lists Amy as a vice chairman.