Free Press Statement on Citadel-Cumulus Merger

In response to the Federal Communications Commission's approval of the Citadel-Cumulus merger, Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright made the following statement:

“While Free Press is pleased that the FCC will require divestiture of radio stations that violate the media ownership rules, no one should pretend that is a genuine public interest benefit of the merger. Merely following the rules is not the same thing as increasing competition or improving service to local audiences.

“We welcome Cumulus's commitment to divest stations in excess of the local radio caps to minority buyers, a step that could help to increase diversity in radio ownership. Unfortunately, Cumulus has not presented any concrete plans for doing so, and we worry that, now that it has won merger approval, this commendable gesture may remain just that -- a gesture.”