The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) has joined a growing coalition suing to appeal the largest broadcast merger in the history of the United States. The Coalition also includes the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the National Association of Broadcast Employees (NABET)-CWA, The Free Press, the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry Incorporated, Public Knowledge and several Broadcasters. They’re calling for an emergency stay of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) approval of Nexstar Media Group’s takeover of TEGNA Incorporated. This planned merger would give Nexstar control of news stations reaching more than 80% of U.S. television households, more than twice the Congressional mandate cap on national reach for any single company. NewsGuild (TNG)-CWA President Jon Schleuss said: “We aggressively oppose this takeover which would grant monopoly powers for one broadcaster at the local level. The partisan FCC is not acting for the American People, instead it is trying to appeal to major corporations and violate the law. One company should not be granted massive political and media control.” NABET-CWA President Charlie Braico said: “Our Members have seen time and time again what happens when corporations are allowed to consolidate media ownership. In the service of Wall Street profits, newsrooms shrink, Workers lose jobs, wages decline and local news suffers. Communities rely on quality local news for information on emergencies, weather - and maybe most importantly, as a Democratic check on political leaders. When we starve our newsrooms, we weaken our local communities and our Democracy. This merger doesn’t comply with the law - and it will create an unprecedented shift in this country and dramatically change local television stations for the worse.”

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: NewsGuild joins broad coalition challenging FCC approval of Nexstar’s takeover attempt of TEGNA | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA