News Broadcasting
FCC ownership rules receive setback from Senate
MUMBAI: Critics have called it the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to aid media giants like Viacom, News Corporation and Disney to completely control several parts of America’s television and newspaper landscape.
But now critics have something to cheer about following the double whammy the FCC received this week over its decision to relax media ownership rules in the US.
It was in June that the FCC commissioners voted three to two to allow US broadcast networks such as NBC and ABC to buy more stations at the national and local levels. The FCC had also lifted the ban preventing a newspaper from buying a television station in the same city.
However yesterday, a US Senate panel voted to stop the FCC from enforcing the relaxed provisions for a year. This comes on the heels of the Third US Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia granting a stay on the ruling, a couple of days ago, till a thorough judicial review of the legislation has been made.
At the moment, media companies cannot own local television stations that reach more than 35 per cent of the US population. FCC had elected to hike that limit to 45 per cent. Recently the New York Times had noted that News Corp’s Fox and Viacom’s CBS already exceeded the 35 per cent cut off mark.
Over the past few months, the Senate has been under pressure to block the FCC proposal from several advocacy groups including the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Organisation for Women and Common Cause. The Congress is said to be pursuing a rare exercise of its power to override executive branch decisions.
While federal agencies must fulfil their job, if an agency oversteps or badly missteps the Congress, the courts can rein it in as has been the case here. It has also been reported that Senator Byron L Dorgan, who opposes the new rules, plans to introduce the ‘resolution of disapproval’. This is a tool that Congress can use to overthrow agency regulations. If passed, it would nullify all the FCC’s June rulings.
If the resolution of disapproval is voted down, Dorgan plans to introduce an amendment that would restore the ban preventing cross-ownership of newspapers and television stations in the same city. The broadcast networks were pressing for an elimination or significant relaxation of the rules as they wanted to compete with cable and satellite providers. The FCC could file an appeal in the US Supreme Court or accept defeat and hand the issue over to the Congress to legislate on.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
