In unprecedented overreach, FCC allows merger consolidating local media ownership

Washington, D.C., March 20, 2026—A decision by the US broadcast regulator to approve the merger of Tegna and Nexstar broadcasting companies — in clear violation of its own norms and regulations — is a concerning sign of government sponsored media concentration in the United States, the Committee to Protect Journalists warned on Friday.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Justice Department on Thursday approved the sale of Tegna, which owns local television stations across the country, to rival Nexstar, who said its stations will now reach 80 percent of US households.

“This highly unusual decision was made without an open process, no full FCC vote, and in blatant violation of current restrictions regarding media reach,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. 

The FCC said it will waive the ownership rule, but legal experts assert the agency has no authority to change the rule without action from Congress.

“We have seen from our work around the world that corporate consolidation of media, especially at the local level, severely hampers access to information that is in the public interest,” Ginsberg added.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the sole Democratic Commissioner, criticized the merger and the lack of transparency in the approval process. Eight states filed a suit in federal court in California on Wednesday to block the merger.

Some broadcasters believe that the deal will support the financial sustainability of local journalism, as local affiliates compete with national networks, streaming services, and social media news. The National Association of Broadcasters called the ownership cap “outdated” while not taking a specific position on the transaction.

Others anticipate the merger will cause job losses for local journalists and media workers, and raise prices for consumers. Dozens of journalists have already been laid off by Nexstar in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago in anticipation of the merger.

CPJ has expressed deep concern over a pattern of politicized threats and retaliatory actions from the FCC in the second Trump administration. Nexstar briefly removed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its ABC affiliates in September, leading to a suspension of the show and national outcry from free speech advocates.