Bill Overview
Title: Local News and Broadcast Media Preservation Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies ownership rules and limitations related to media such as newspapers and broadcast stations. Specifically, the bill repeals specified media ownership limitations and prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from disallowing multiple ownership of radio and television stations. It also prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from considering whether certain media mergers will substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Further, the bill creates a four-year safe harbor from antitrust laws for print, broadcast, or digital news companies to collectively negotiate with online content distributors (e.g., social media companies) regarding the terms on which the news companies' content may be distributed by online content distributors.
Sponsors: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Target Audience
Population: Consumers and industry stakeholders of media such as newspapers, radio, and television
Estimated Size: 300000000
- The bill impacts local media companies, including newspapers, radio, and television stations, by modifying ownership regulations.
- It affects consumers who rely on local news as changes in ownership landscapes can influence content diversity and quality.
- Online content distributors, including social media companies, will be impacted as news companies can collectively negotiate terms with them due to antitrust exemptions.
- Changes in ownership and antitrust safe harbors could influence the media market structure, affecting the industry both positively and negatively.
- Increased media consolidation might lead to reduced competition, thus potentially affecting media employees' job stability and opportunities.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects media ownership and distribution, which will have varied impacts on different groups within the population.
- Those directly employed or involved in media industries (e.g., journalists, broadcasters, and print media owners) are more likely to be affected by changes in ownership rules and collective bargaining opportunities with online distributors.
- Consumers, especially those in regions with fewer media options, could experience changes in the diversity and quality of news due to increased media consolidation.
- The policy could ease financial strains for local news organizations by allowing them collective bargaining power, which might improve financial stability in the short term.
- In the long term, impacts on media diversity and content quality due to potential consolidations might affect public trust and engagement in local media.
Simulated Interviews
local radio station manager (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The possibility of increased ownership by large corporations worries me.
- This policy could lead to less local content and more syndicated material.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
journalist for a major newspaper (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased consolidation might jeopardize journalistic independence.
- However, collective bargaining could strengthen content negotiations with tech giants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
school teacher and news consumer (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on diverse perspectives from local media for balanced news.
- Losing local voices to conglomerate ownership is concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
software engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tech companies' power in content distribution is a growing concern.
- Collective bargaining seems like a step toward fairer practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
media company owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could allow for strategic expansion and improved financial health.
- However, it could also lead to market oversaturation and increased competition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
college student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Media diversity is more important than ever.
- This policy could reduce that diversity in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
local newspaper editor (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy provides opportunities for smaller outlets to gain fairer terms with distributors.
- There's risk that ownership changes might lead to less local focus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
retired, news consumer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen local news decline over the years.
- This policy might accelerate that trend.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
social media manager (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could imbalance negotiation power among tech platforms and media companies.
- There might be positive outcomes for digital media accessibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
freelance photographer for news outlets (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could limit the variety of visual content and stories getting out.
- However, it could also lead to better contracts with tech companies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The duration of the safe harbor is four years, during which media entities can engage in collective bargaining with binding terms valid beyond the deadline.
- Changes in media ownership regulations could lead to market consolidation, affecting competitive dynamics.
- Potential regulatory and oversight costs might arise due to increased complexity in market structure monitoring.
- Indirect economic effects might arise due to changes in local media diversity and market access for consumers.
- Media market adjustments could influence employment within the industry as consolidation might lead to restructuring or layoffs.