The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on repealing a rule that limits broadcast station ownership, allowing for greater consolidation. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has argued that this move would empower local TV stations and benefit media outlets aligned with President Trump.

Carr’s actions have been met with skepticism, given his history of challenging national networks and waiving restrictions in favour of pro-Trump news organisations. Critics argue that relaxing ownership limits could lead to a consolidation of voices and further polarisation of media landscapes.

“Americans no longer trust the legacy national media to report the news fairly or accurately,” Carr wrote in an op-ed, suggesting a shift towards more locally driven content. However, his actions have raised concerns about potential bias and decreased diversity in news coverage.

This change could see fewer independent voices on airwaves, potentially leading to a less diverse range of opinions being shared with the public. With local stations now having more leeway, it remains to be seen how much space will be left for critical journalism.