WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai circulated a proposal to review and revise the agency’s national television-ownership cap. Pai’s actions today begin a rulemaking process that will likely result in the removal of even more safeguards designed to protect localism, diversity and competition over the public airwaves.

The move could lift the existing cap set by Congress, which says no single company can own TV stations reaching more than 39 percent of the national audience. The FCC does not have the power to lift, change or waive this limit set by statute, but it plans to move ahead anyway.

Pai’s proposal would remove the last remaining protections standing in the way of a new era of extreme media consolidation, following his moves last week to erase rules preventing local media concentration.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group stands to benefit the most from an increase in the cap. Its proposed $3.9-billion merger with Tribune Media, now under review at the agency, would give it control of 233 local-TV stations reaching more than 70 percent of the country. But other large broadcasters like Rupert Murdoch’s Fox TV stations, Nexstar and Tegna have also lobbied for a higher cap. 

Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:

“Ajit Pai has no shame. After his legally dubious maneuvers to dismantle local media-ownership limits were approved last week in a party-line vote, he’s doubling down on a proposal to overturn national ownership limits he has no actual authority to change. He has teed up for elimination the last remaining firewall against completely unchecked media consolidation.

“Changing this limit should require congressional action, but Pai doesn't care. He’ll do whatever it takes to clear the way for Sinclair to swallow up stations wherever and whenever it pleases. And unless Pai’s stopped, Rupert Murdoch and a few other moguls will go on their own buying sprees too.

“The result will be one or two dominant broadcasters in every market, deep job cuts for journalists, and an influx of cookie-cutter content and right-wing propaganda. This spells disaster for local news and the communities it’s supposed to serve. Congress must step in, stop this power grab and recognize the serious threat Pai’s actions pose to our democracy.”