Who Owns the Media?

The airwaves belong to all of us. Broadcasters don’t pay a cent for their use of this valuable public resource. They are required to do only one thing in return: help fulfill the news and information needs of the communities in which they broadcast.

But here's where things get tricky. Just a handful of media corporations own almost all of our local media outlets. Our TV and radio stations used to be mom-and-pop operations, but over the years that diverse, locally responsive media system has been reduced to a few mega conglomerates that control the vast majority of what we read, see and hear in the media. For decades these corporations have had a dramatic influence at the Federal Communications Commission, which has made policy that serves corporate needs rather than the public interest.

To find out who’s really behind your favorite TV channel, newspaper or radio station, check out Free Press’ media ownership charts.

Who Controls the Media?

The FCC’s ownership rules are supposed to preserve competition and diversity in our media landscape. But increasingly media companies are evading the rules by taking control of broadcast stations without buying the actual licenses.

This “covert consolidation” has led to massive newsroom layoffs as stations have quietly merged operations, often producing just one newscast and broadcasting it on multiple stations. When this happens, residents in affected communities have no alternatives to turn to for local news and information.

Unless the FCC takes action, stations will be able to merge and make major cutbacks with zero community or government oversight. We launched the Change the Channels initiative to end unchecked covert consolidation. Click here to learn more.

Who Gets Shut Out?

Fifty-one percent of the U.S. population is female, yet women own only 6 percent of all radio and TV station licenses. People of color make up 36 percent of the population, but own just 7 percent of radio licenses and 3 percent of TV licenses.

Media ownership matters. If you’re tired of TV shows where women are degraded and people of color are stereotyped — if they appear at all — look no further than the absence of diversity among media owners.

The FCC has repeatedly ignored its mandate to address the gross inequalities that persist in media ownership. And rule changes allowing for more media consolidation threaten to shut out the few outlets owned by underrepresented groups.

Now is the time for change. A wide range of women’s, media and social justice organizations is demanding action. Join us.