Stop Corporate Consolidation Silencing Local Media Voices

February 11, 2026

The National Newspaper Publishers Association is opposing large corporate media consolidations, particularly Nexstar's proposed acquisition of TEGNA and efforts to weaken the 39% national audience reach cap set by Congress. The organization argues that these consolidations threaten local journalism by reducing newsroom staff, replacing local reporting with corporate content, and eliminating diverse community voices. Drawing parallels to the decline of local newspapers under corporate ownership, the NNPA warns that similar consolidation in television would deprive Americans of trusted local news sources while simultaneously raising costs for consumers through increased retransmission fees.

Who is affected

Black American communities and other communities of color
Millions of Americans who rely on local TV stations and community-owned newspapers
Local newsroom employees facing job losses and deteriorating working conditions
Young journalists of color losing entry-point opportunities
Cable and satellite subscribers (80% of American homes would be reached by the combined entity)
Families and households struggling with rising living costs
Local print and television news media organizations
Residents of dozens of cities where TEGNA operates stations

What action is being taken

Huge corporate TV station groups are seeking to weaken or eliminate the 39% national audience reach cap
Nexstar is pursuing a proposed takeover of TEGNA
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and other local news media organizations are taking urgent exception to these corporate consolidation attempts

Why it matters

Media consolidation on this scale threatens the diversity of viewpoints, independence of local newsrooms, and public access to locally grounded information, which are all essential to American democracy. Local journalism serves as an indispensable protection for civil rights and equality, particularly for communities of color, by providing culturally relevant perspectives, investigative reporting, and community accountability. The loss of independent local media reduces civic participation and community empowerment while concentrating disproportionate influence over national discourse in the hands of a few corporate headquarters. Additionally, consolidation drives significant increases in consumer costs through retransmission fees while simultaneously reducing content quality and editorial independence.

What's next

The FCC should uphold the 39% cap, reject the Nexstar–TEGNA merger, and recommit to protecting localism, diversity, and the public interest in media ownership.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint