What restrictions are placed on foreign media owners?

In Texas, media owners who are not citizens of the United States, or who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, are generally subject to additional restrictions regarding ownership in the media. The FCC has rules that restrict a foreign media owner’s ability to directly or indirectly control a broadcast station or newspaper. Under these restrictions, a foreign media owner may not directly or indirectly own more than 20 percent of the voting equity of a broadcast station licensee, or of a newspaper publisher. Furthermore, the FCC also limits the ability of a foreign media owner to exercise influence over the station or newspaper. Foreign media owners are typically ineligible to participate in the decision-making processes of the licensee, or to take part in major decisions regarding the operation of the license. This includes decisions on programming, financial matters, personnel, and technical matters. Foreign media owners are also prohibited from having a majority of its board of directors composed of non-U.S. citizens, or from having a majority of its voting stock owned by non-U.S. citizens. Any foreign media owner must also obtain specific authority from the FCC prior to acquiring an existing media outlet. In addition to the FCC restrictions, the Texas media laws impose additional requirements on foreign media owners. This includes a requirement that a foreign media owner provide the state with a list of the owner’s representatives, a description of any material relationships between the foreign media owner and any other persons, and a description of the foreign media owner’s business activities. Finally, a foreign media owner in Texas must also provide an affidavit affirming their compliance with all state and federal media laws.

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