Joint Statement of Commissioner Carr and Commissioner Simington
On TEGNA Hearing Designation Order
WASHINGTON, DC, February 24, 2023—Today, the FCC’s Media Bureau announced that it designated certain questions related to the pending applications involving Standard General, TEGNA, and Cox Media Group to the Administrative Law Judge.  The pending applications involve a series of transactions that would result in Standard General’s acquisition of 64 full-power TV stations and two full-power radio stations currently owned and operated by TEGNA.
The following is a joint statement from Commissioners Carr and Simington upon learning about the Bureau’s Hearing Designation Order:
“Hundreds of local newspapers have shut down over the last few years alone.  This trend is part of a broader decline in the investments necessary to sustain the journalists and reporters that are vital to communities across the country.  Many of the nation’s local TV stations are trying to step up and expand their news gathering operations.  At this moment, the FCC should be working to encourage more of the investment necessary for these local broadcasters to innovate and thrive.  It does the opposite today.  After a protracted, nearly yearlong review, the Commission should be providing the parties with a decision on the merits—not an uncertain future.”
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Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr
Media Contact:  Ben Arden
(202) 418-0288 or Benjamin.Arden@fcc.gov