The U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Federal Communications Commission when it ruled the agency was reasonable when, in 2017, it created an easier path for one entity to own several news outlets in the same market, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The New York Times reported that the ruling will likely “prompt further consolidation among broadcast outlets.” The paper said these companies would argue the ruling helps them compete with tech companies for ad dollars, but the paper said one obvious potential drawback is the limitation on “perspectives available to viewers.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the court’s ruling that the rules in question date back to 1964 and 1975, long before Facebook and Google News. He wrote,
“Technological advances led to a massive increase in alternative media options, such as cable television and the internet. Those technological advances challenged the traditional dominance of daily print newspaper, local radio stations, and local television stations.”
TRENDPOST: As we have long noted, just six mega-corporations control over 90 percent of American media. Now, with the Supreme Court ruling, a few will own even more. Thus, the larger the monopoly, the less diversity of content. And with few companies in control, such as with social media domination, censorship will continue to become the new ABnormal.
Also, while alternative media outlets will find market share, the power of the mainstream media will govern. Thus, the message they sell will be the one the masses will follow.
