(The Center Square) – The U.S. House Oversight Committee has fast-tracked an agreement allowing the Federal Communications Commission to let a billionaire Democratic donor buy a wide range of American radio stations just weeks before the presidential election. We are investigating the reason for the move.
The major radio company Audacity was in trouble, but through a complicated business deal, billionaire Democratic Party donor George Soros gained control of the station. A transaction of this size requires FCC approval, and in this case the FCC expedited the approval process.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr raised concerns about the deal during a Congressional hearing, telling lawmakers that “…the FCC is not following its normal process for reviewing transactions.”
“Over the years, we have established one way to obtain FCC approval when foreign ownership exceeds 25%, and this transaction does just that,” Kerr said. Ta. “For the first time, it seems like the FCC is trying to create an entirely new shortcut.”
House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. Rep. Nick Langworthy (RN.Y.) sent a letter to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Friday expressing concerns about the deal.
“Despite the unprecedented nature of this action, a majority of the FCC concluded that George Soros has major ownership and that stations in 40 media markets reach “more than 165 million Americans.'' “It appears that we have decided to approve licenses on an earlier deadline for companies that have reached the target,” the letter said. “No matter how you look at it, the FCC majority is not just in a hurry, they are bypassing established processes to do George Soros a favor, and are trying to secure Soros' influence over hundreds of radio stations before the November election. We are trying to promote this.”
Critics of the deal say it gives too much power to a highly politicized, liberal billionaire just before an election.
“I don't understand why Soros would do something like this, unless it's to manipulate Americans' thinking and the information they hear,” said Mike Gonzalez, a former member of the George W. Bush administration and author. told.
“Conservative talk radio is huge, but left-wing talk radio doesn't exist because it's not interesting,” said Gonzalez, who now works at the Heritage Foundation. “Conservative talk radio is one of the few communications outlets that conservatives have strong control over, although they don't have a monopoly. We acquired the broadcasting station where
Critics also point out that Soros' business partners include significant funding from foreign sources.
“Transactions with Audacy, Inc. may result in Audacy, Inc. being partially “directly or indirectly controlled'' by a foreign person or entity that owns “one-fourth or more of its capital.'' “The public interest that would require FCC approval to determine whether “one-fourth or more of the capital stock'' would be served by denying or revoking such a license, the letter states. is stated. “In carrying out this legal obligation under the Communications Act, the FCC has long established processes and procedures for awarding broadcast licenses in such situations, most recently updated in 2016.”
Other wealthy media owners have come under scrutiny for possible abuses of ownership, such as billionaire Jeff Bezos, who bought the Washington Post. But Soros' influence over so many radio stations has even more influence over the country than one of the major newspapers, which Americans usually consider to have a certain political bent. There is a possibility.
Soros is one of the most strategic and prolific funders of liberal organizations in the United States
“I don’t understand why he would spend so much money unless he was trying to influence the way Americans think,” Gonzalez continued, adding, “This man is dedicated to left-wing causes. There is,” he added.
