SC New York News

Congressman Langworthy (R-NY) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) are investigating the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) expedited review of broadcast licenses for Audacy, Inc. The company, in which Democrat megadonor George Soros and his firm Soros Fund Management are acquiring a significant equity stake, is set to maintain licenses for over 200 radio stations.

The lawmakers have sent a letter to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel requesting documents and communications to understand the FCC’s actions and their impact on radio station licenses related to this decision.

“The Audacy, Inc. deal, which will lead to Audacy, Inc. being partially ‘directly or indirectly controlled’ by foreign individuals or entities holding ‘more than one-fourth of the capital stock’ will require FCC approval to determine whether ‘the public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such license.’ In carrying out this statutory mandate under the Communications Act, FCC has years-long established processes and procedures for adjudicating broadcast licenses in such situations, most recently updated in 2016,” the lawmakers wrote.

During Congressman Langworthy’s questioning in a House Oversight Committee hearing last week, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated, “…the FCC is not following its normal process for reviewing a transaction. We have established over a number of years one way in which you can get approval from the FCC when you have an excess of 25 percent foreign ownership, which this transaction does. It seems to me that the FCC is poised to create, for the first time, an entirely new shortcut.”

“Despite the unprecedented nature of this action, the FCC majority has apparently decided to approve licenses on an accelerated timeframe for a company in which George Soros has a major ownership stake, and with stations in 40 media markets reaching ‘more than 165 million Americans.’ By all appearances, the FCC majority isn’t just expediting but is bypassing an established process to do a favor for George Soros and facilitate his influence over hundreds of radio stations before the November election,” continued the lawmakers.

This is Congressman Langworthy’s second letter to FCC Chair Rosenworcel on this issue following an initial letter sent in April.