The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote next month on whether to end the national ownership cap for broadcast stations in the US. This rule, intended to prevent one company from dominating the media landscape and incentivize serving local communities, could soon be history under the proposed changes.

Republican Chair Brendan Carr argues that the rise of social media and streaming platforms renders this regulation obsolete, suggesting that national programmers can now reach '100 percent of the country' without needing access to public airwaves. He wants to let broadcast giants dominate the airwaves by lifting the 39 percent cap on local TV ownership.

However, critics warn that repealing the rule could harm local journalism through reduced competition and say only Congress has the authority to raise or eliminate it. Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez stated: 'The Commission cannot waive away that limit simply because these corporate behemoths want to get out from under it.'

While broadcasters are free to make their own websites or cable news stations, as everyone else is, Carr only needs the support of Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty to approve an agenda item. Even if the vote clears, it could still face a challenge over whether the FCC has the authority to get rid of the cap.