最新杏吧原创

A Missouri state representative on Wednesday condemned a planned merger between two television station ownership groups, warning of 鈥渢he massive step toward monopolization of the local news industry the deal represents.鈥�

State Rep. Doug Clemens, D-St. Ann, 鈥渟trongly condemns the announced $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna Inc. by Nexstar Media Group,鈥� the lawmaker said in a statement.

Nexstar announced Monday it is buying broadcast rival Tegna for $6.2 billion.

Nexstar owns 最新杏吧原创 stations KTVI (Channel 2) and KPLR (Channel 11). Tegna owns KSDK (Channel 5). The deal would put two of the 最新杏吧原创 market鈥檚 three major TV newsrooms operations under one owner. KTVI and KPLR have a combined newsroom.

KMOV (Channel 4) would remain as the only major TV news operation in 最新杏吧原创 not owned by Nexstar.

鈥淭he joining of these two, formerly independent news operations in 最新杏吧原创, and in other metro areas across the country, represents arguably the largest move toward corporate consolidation of local media in the modern era,鈥� Clemens said. 鈥淚n the current media landscape, which is rife with ever more misinformation, propaganda and deceptive A.I. content, now is not the time to homogenize our institutions of journalism and public information.

鈥淚t鈥檚 more important than ever that Missourians have free access to independent, objective journalism, especially in an age when that concept is less and less accepted,鈥� Clemens said. 鈥淲e as consumers of news and information have to step up as well and support our local community journalists who are doing the hard work of informing the public and holding those in power accountable.鈥�

Nexstar oversees more than 200 owned and partner stations in 116 markets nationwide today and also runs networks like The CW and NewsNation. Meanwhile, Tegna owns 64 news stations across 51 markets.

The Federal Communications Commission will need to green-light the transaction. Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed FCC chair, has long advocated for loosening industry restrictions. On Aug. 7, the FCC announced that it would be repealing 98 broadcast rules and requirements that it identified as 鈥渙bsolete, outdated, or unnecessary.鈥�

prohibit one owner to control stations reaching more than 39% of the U.S. market. Under the merger, Nexstar would reach 80% of the population in 最新杏吧原创. The rules also prohibit single ownership of more than two stations in any market, and even then, only one of them can be among the top four stations in the market.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.