FCC abandons media consolidation rules
This is great news. However, there’s a cloud in this silver lining (see quote below). The FCC didn’t want the SC to take the case because they want to keep hammering away at first amendment issues with the stringent indecency rules that Powell put into place. I’m sure there will be more to come.
Officials said one reason the administration decided not to seek Supreme Court review is that some lawyers were concerned that the case could prompt the justices to review related First Amendment issues in a way that could undermine efforts by the commission to enforce indecency rules against television and radio broadcasters. Over the last year, the agency has issued a record number and size of fines, and has been pressed by some conservative and other advocacy groups to be more aggressive.