Tightening rules on joint sales agreements would “likely harm the...

Tightening rules on joint sales agreements would “likely harm the public interest,” said FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly in a blog post Tuesday night (http://fcc.us/1cpYn5P). A plan by Chairman Tom Wheeler’s office to circulate proposed changes to the rules on JSAs would leave O'Rielly (CD Feb 12 p1) “perplexed and deeply concerned,” because the media market is far more competitive than when the commission’s ownership rules were created, said O'Rielly. “Such a move would conflict with the spirit, intent and wording” of the 1996 Telecom Act, he said. “Instead of tinkering around the edges in a questionable manner, the Commission should comply with the law and move forward to holistically update its media ownership rules across the board so that they are justified against the backdrop of today’s media landscape.” NAB meanwhile lobbied the FCC in favor of JSAs. (See separate report in this issue.)