What are the laws regarding media ownership and consolidation?

Media ownership and consolidation laws in North Carolina aim to maintain a healthy, competitive media environment in which everyone has access to diverse sources of news and information. Under North Carolina law, a person or entity can only own up to three television stations, seven radio stations, and five newspaper outlets in the same market. Additionally, a person or entity cannot own television or radio stations that reach more than 45% of the North Carolina population. Furthermore, there are rules limiting the amount of cross-ownership of media outlets. This means that no one is allowed to own both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same city or town. This is designed to ensure that no one company has an overwhelming presence in the media of a single area. In North Carolina, there are also restrictions on the ownership of television satellites. No one may own more than five such satellites and these must be located in at least four different cities or towns. These rules are in place to help preserve a competitive media environment and allow consumers to have access to a variety of news and information sources.

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What are the laws regarding media ownership and consolidation?

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