What are the restrictions on broadcast media ownership?
In Mississippi, broadcast media ownership laws are in place to ensure that broadcast media outlets are not unduly controlled by a single entity. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets the rules and regulations for broadcast media ownership in Mississippi. The main rule is that a single entity may not own more than one of the top four markets in a state. This means that if a company or organization owns one of the four largest television or radio stations in Mississippi, they cannot own another in the same state. The FCC also has cross-ownership restrictions, which limit the number of television stations, radio stations, and newspapers a single entity can own in the same market. For instance, a single entity cannot own both a newspaper and a television station in the same city. In addition, the FCC has limits on the number of television and/or radio stations a single entity can own in Mississippi. An entity can only own up to eight (8) radio station licenses, or up to five (5) television station licenses in a single state. The FCC also operates under a duopoly rule. This means that one entity cannot own more than one of the top four stations (TV or radio) in the same local market at the same time. Overall, Mississippi’s broadcast media ownership laws are designed to maintain a diverse range of opinions and content in the media and limit the degree to which one entity can unduly control the media. Understanding the ownership restrictions is important for broadcasters to ensure compliance with federal rules and regulations.
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