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Change the Channels
Tucson Media Monopoly Takes Root
UPDATE: Today marks the beginning of a local media monopoly in Tucson, Ariz. Exploiting loopholes in the Federal Communications Commission’s ownership rules, Raycom Media has taken control of three local stations: KMSB, KOLD and KTTU. The stations are now co-branded as “Tucson News Now” and they operate out of the same studio (about 40 employees lighter than before).
The Public's Right to Know
In the media reform world, we often say we’re fighting for “better” media. Of course, “better” is the sort of word that begs comparison: better than what? If we’re to demand more of our local broadcasters, we need to know what’s wrong with the status quo.
Broadcasters use the public airwaves free of charge, and in return are supposed to provide programming that fulfills the news and information needs of communities. The Federal Communications Commission requires broadcasters to keep public files detailing exactly how they serve local needs. But these records are generally kept in file cabinets at local TV stations and are not easily accessible. So the pressure is on for broadcasters to put these files online in a publicly searchable database.
End the Big Broadcast Swindle
Television and radio broadcasters get to use our public airwaves for free. It’s a great deal … for them, at least. For the rest of us, it’s just another corporate giveaway.
These broadcasters rake in billions in profits using our public property. And what do we the public get from them in return? Next to nothing.
Tucson Falls Victim to Covert Consolidation
Raycom Media has taken control of three TV stations in Tucson in a covert consolidation deal. The new virtual triopoly will result in dozens of layoffs, as local anchor Lou Raguse noted on the air yesterday.
When Raycom takes over operations of Belo-owned KMSB and KTTU, Raycom’s station KOLD will produce all of the news for the three stations. "KOLD will, by contract, provide certain services to support the operations of KMSB and KTTU, including producing local news in high definition, in-depth weather, traffic and sports, and website administration,” said a Belo spokesperson in an email to Broadcasting & Cable.
Airing Industry's Dirty Laundry
This is big. Yesterday our campaign to uncover covert media consolidation in communities around the country made the New York Times.
This chronically ignored crisis is getting a national spotlight. And it would never have happened had it not been for the thousands of activists who spoke out against the practice of covert consolidation and helped us document its impact on local news broadcasts across the country.
Media consolidation is a dangerous problem, reducing the number of independent sources of news—that’s why there are rules to control it. But media companies have devised a way around those rules, and are pursuing profits at the expense of the communities they’re supposed to serve. “Covert consolidation” takes many forms, but the results are the same: Media companies pad their bottom line by sacrificing local journalism, competition and diversity. In many cases, one news team produces a single newscast for multiple stations. The result: less news about your community and fewer journalists holding our leaders accountable.
Worst of all, stations claim they don’t have to report these deals to anyone.
At changethechannels.org, you can join with others in your community to demand change at the local level. Help uncover these dirty deals; submit video and information to our national database; and take action to pressure local broadcasters. Together we’ll build a case against covert consolidation that the Federal Communications Commission won’t be able to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Covert Consolidation?
Hundreds of TV stations across the country have quietly merged newsrooms, getting around media ownership rules at the expense of the communities that depend on them for news and information.
Rather than competing for scoops, these stations are colluding to cut costs and reduce competition. What you get is one story – from one viewpoint, by one reporter, from one camera angle – broadcast on several stations.
During the last gubernatorial election in Hawaii, a Honolulu viewer tuned in to Channel 5 for coverage of the contested race. When she switched to Channel 7, she found the same reporter conducting the same interview. And on Channel 9? Identical news coverage.
Why is Covert Consolidation happening?
A government agency – the Federal Communications Commission in Washington – has rules in place to ensure a diversity of voices and viewpoints and to protect local communities from media monopolies. These rules limit media consolidation in TV and radio markets because broadcasters use public airwaves – a valuable, limited resource that requires them to serve the public interest.
But there are loopholes. Even though companies are only allowed to own a limited number of TV stations in one area, there’s no rule that prevents them from controlling as many stations as they want. As long as a company’s name isn’t on the broadcast license, it can control everything from news programming to office operations, and it doesn’t even have to tell anyone what it’s up to.
Is this happening everywhere?
Why does this matter?
How can we stop Covert Consolidation?
Why now?
What can I do to Change the Channels?
- Sign the petition. Tell the FCC to stop letting media companies skirt the rules.
- Help us build our case. Because this is local TV, we rely on submissions from activists to document what covert consolidation looks like on the air. Download our guide to learn how to submit documentation of covert consolidation in your community.
- Spread the word. Tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter, then download our toolkit to organize your community to change the channels.
- Change the Channels Toolkit
Download our activist toolkit for tips on how to Change the Channels in your community. - Covert Consolidation Crisis
A helpful discussion guide for spreading the word about this sneaky form of media consolidation. - Outsourcing the News
This white paper by Free Press's Corie Wright and Josh Stearns lays out our research on covert consolidation and provides in-depth case studies of three covert consolidation deals. - Local TV & Shared Services Agreements, Honolulu
This study by Danilo Yanich analyzes the daily newscasts of all five television stations in Honolulu, HI, before and after the Shared Services Agreement went into effect. - Covert Consolidation and the Future of Media
Read more about our official stance on covert consolidation in this excerpt from joint comments filed at the FCC by Free Press and our allies. - Formal Complaint Against Honolulu Shared Services Agreement
End the Big Broadcast Swindle
The FCC is reviewing its media ownership rules and needs to hear from you. Tell the FCC we need rules that serve the public, not big broadcasters.
What's Next for Public Media?
