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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
In an unprecedented decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fast-tracked a deal giving majority control of over 200 radio stations nationwide to a group funded by Democrat mega-donor George Soros.
The lobbying organization set to assume control, Fund for Policy Reform, is governed by four trustees, one being George’s son, Alex Soros.
In a complex deal, the organization is set to assume a massive chunk of debt, at least 40%, from Audacy, Inc. which owns hundreds of radio stations across the nation. Since Audacy has declared bankruptcy, the Soros organization’s buyout will essentially see Audacy ceding majority control of all these stations.
The stations affected in Tennessee will include, at minimum: WMC-FM 99.7, WMC-AM 790, WRVR 104.5, and WMFS 92.9 in Memphis; WKXJ 103.7 in Walden; WUSY 101 in Cleveland; WLND 98.1 in Signal Mountain.
This historic 3-2 decision, with Democrats in the majority, has raised the alarm with the dissenting Republican-nominated FCC commissioners and the Congressional Committee of Oversight & Accountability, as they believe immediately clearing the deal violates the current FCC laws prohibiting a foreign company from owning more than a 25% stake in US radio stations.
Soros reportedly took foreign investments to make his bid then asked the commission to make an exception to the normal review process, which would normally take approximately a year.
Commissioner Brendan Carr said in part of his dissenting opinion, “The Commission’s decision today is unprecedented. Never before has the Commission voted to approve the transfer of a broadcast license…without following the requirements and procedures codified in federal law. Not once. And yet the Commission breaks this new ground today without seeking public comment on altering our established regulations, without actually changing the rules on the books, and without seeking the feedback of other federal agencies with relevant equities. The Commission has never done this before. So why are we voting for a first-ever fast track today?”
Nathan Simington, the other dissenting Commissioner, relayed, “I just have to point out: a Commission eager to fast-track a billion dollar broadcast media reorganization, disregarding foreign ownership concerns, is the same Commission that has gone back to the well several times to impose and re-impose foreign sponsorship identification rules on our smallest independent broadcast license holders every time they place local church content on the air.”
A letter to the FCC from the Congressional Oversight Committee calls the decision, “an attempt to interfere in the 2024 election and politicize the work of the FCC,” by “bypassing an established process to do a favor for George Soros and facilitate his influence over hundreds of radio stations before the November election.” The committee asks for documents and correspondence about the decision to establish if legislation will be necessary to rebuff the FCC’s efforts.
In her written opinion for the majority, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel states the names of numerous other companies where the agency has supposedly used the identical process for a company emerging from bankruptcy, and that suggesting this instance is different would be “cynical and wrong”.
It is unclear if Congress will pursue the matter beyond their letter or if the buyout will proceed unencumbered.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
We all know this is just another tool for getting Kamala re-elected. These pieces of pond scum who call themselves politicians should have stopped this. We need Trump back.
This is another example of how the Dems have weaponized government.
Conservatives need to BOYCOTT those stations AND BOYCOTT anyone who advertises on them.
Do a Bud Light.