House Commerce Democrats Press for Hearing on Sinclair/Tribune
Three House Commerce Committee Democrats requested a Communications Subcommittee hearing on Sinclair's buying Tribune. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., led the letter, also signed by Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., addressed to Commerce Committee…
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Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. The Democrats pointed to FCC reinstatement of the UHF discount. “Its revival only serves as a loophole in the media ownership rules that opens that door to a wave of broadcast consolidation, as evidenced by this transaction,” they said Tuesday. “Even the FCC majority recognizes that there is no longer a technical basis for the UHF discount.” They believe the American people deserve to hear FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s “plans for loosening media ownership rules in a public setting.” House Commerce has long had a tradition of not holding hearings on takeovers, a GOP committee aide responded. Sinclair didn't comment.