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A coalition of groups who have opposed the $6.2 billion Nexstar/Tegna merger have filed an emergency petition and appeal with the FCC seeking to stay what they call “the agency’s unlawful March 19 decision” to approve the deal.

Free press advocates warned that the FCC’s decision to greenlight Nexstar’s takeover of Tegna further imperils U.S. democracy by accelerating the consolidation of broadcast media and extending the reach of right-wing propaganda.

The FCC’s unprecedented moves to grease the skids for this terrible merger are something we simply can’t let stand. 

The FCC approved Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna, granting a waiver that lets the broadcast giant go way past the national limit on station ownership.

Rodríguez had been in ICE custody under deplorable conditions, despite being in the United States legally working as a reporter for Nashville Noticias. 

Chairman Carr mistakenly believes he has power to shake down media companies, censor broadcasters and punish newsrooms that won’t twist their coverage to placate an erratic and image-obsessed Trump.

Nashville journalist Estefany Rodríguez was released from an ICE detention center. Advocates said they would continue challenging the violation of Rodríguez’s rights and demanded the Trump administration end its targeting of journalists amid its anti-immigration crackdown.

As Free Press has warned repeatedly, this deal would create a massive broadcast conglomerate willing to put the political agenda of Donald Trump over the needs of the communities local television serves

“Donald Trump’s efforts to consolidate major media in the hands of his political cronies is a perfect example of why Congress prohibited TV broadcasters from getting this big in the first place,” said Free Press General Counsel and Vice President of Policy Matt Wood.

If it went through unchallenged, the Nexstar-Tegna deal would result in more newsroom layoffs, as the new bosses fire reporters and churn out more of the cookie-cutter content that comes from the downsizing at local stations.