/http/, NAHJ, LGBTTech, MMTC Statement: The Nexstar-Tegna merger raises serious concerns about the sustainability of local news, journalists, and communities
On March 19, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice officially approved Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. This regulatory green light creates a broadcasting giant reaching 80 percent of U.S. households, effectively clashing with the 39 percent cap enacted by Congress on television ownership.
THE STAKES: HIGHER TV BILLS, LOSS OF LOCAL JOURNALISM, AND LESS OWNERSHIP DIVERSITY
For millions of Americans, particularly seniors, working-class households, and communities of color, local broadcast television remains essential and is most often accessed through cable or satellite TV subscriptions. The merger gives Nexstar unprecedented leverage to demand higher retransmission fees from providers, which will likely be passed on to consumers in the form of higher monthly bills. Additionally, this deal, as we have seen with previous mergers, will likely lead to newsroom layoffs, shared or centralized newsroom operations, and increased reliance on content produced far from the communities it aims to serve. Local stations are vital incubators for diverse journalists and culturally relevant reporting. The consolidation this deal promotes chokes these opportunities and narrows the spectrum of voices, diminishing the accountability that independent local media provides.
WHO WILL PAY THE PRICE
The harms of this deal will fall disproportionately on communities of color and multilingual audiences who rely heavily on local broadcast news for information about elections, emergencies, public health, and civic life. Moreover, FCC data demonstrate that ownership diversity is already scarce: women hold a majority stake in just 10% of broadcast stations, and Latinos in only 6%. The Nexstar-Tegna merger exacerbates existing imbalances and increasingly prevents new entrants from achieving ownership.
A CALL FOR ACTION
/http/, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), and LGBTTech call on Congress to take action to defend the statutory limits already enacted to ensure that the nation’s communications system serves consumers, communities, and democracy—not just the largest TV station conglomerates. Congress must continue to serve the public interest and protect local news as the civic infrastructure it has become.
