Radio CEO: Arguments Against Deregulation 'Rooted in Pre-Digital Era'
Arguments from civil rights and public interest groups against eliminating local radio ownership caps are “rooted in a pre-digital era,” said JVC Media CEO John Caracciolo in reply comments posted Monday in docket 22-459. “Opponents equate ownership fragmentation with diversity and localism. Experience has shown that under-resourced ownership often results in reduced local content, fewer employees, and diminished community service.”
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The National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters' argument that AM subcaps protect the AM service by preventing consolidation are incorrect, Caracciolo said. “In reality, these subcaps often prevent broadcasters from pairing AM stations with stronger FM assets or clusters that could sustain them,” he said. “Modest, thoughtful relaxation of these limits will strengthen local service, enhance competition, and better position broadcasters to fulfill their public-interest obligations in today’s environment.”