Bad News for The News: The Fox-Disney Merger Again Shortens the Media Menu

The consolidation of two media empires is a disaster for those who want a diverse, independent media.

Alan Macleod
بواسطة Alan Macleod
News Media mergers

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA -- The long-rumored Fox-Disney merger was made official Wednesday, as Disney closed on its purchase of much of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire. The $73.1 dollar “merger” – more accurately described as an acquisition – continues a worrying trend of media consolidation and gives Disney control and ownership over a historic 35 to 40

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Following New FCC Rules, Massive Corporate Consolidation Of Local News Underway

Such a move wouldn’t have been possible until Trump’s new Federal Trade Commission chairman, Ajit Pai, began implementing sweeping changes to previously established media ownership rules.

The Anti-Media
بواسطة The Anti-Media
FCC commissioner Ajit Pai presents his dissent during a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hearing at the FCC in Washington. (AP/Susan Walsh)

In a deal that will allow one broadcasting company to reach 72 percent of U.S. households through ownership of local news stations, it was reported this week that Sinclair Broadcast Group is buying Tribune Media for nearly $4 billion. Such a move wouldn’t have been possible a few weeks back, but Donald Trump’s new Federal Trade Commission (FCC)

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Trump’s Meetings With CEOs Seeking Mergers Is Troubling Observers

By meeting with the CEOs of Monsanto and Bayer as well as the head of AT&T, which is trying to merge with Time Warner, Trump has violated decades of White House practice by injecting himself directly into mergers awaiting Justice Department review.

Justin Elliot
Jesse Eisinger
بواسطة Justin Elliot
و Jesse Eisinger
President Donald Trump speaks during his meeting with automobile leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(ANALYSIS) --- When the CEOs of Monsanto and Bayer met now-President Donald Trump earlier this month, eager for a nod of assent for their controversial merger into an agrochemical and seed giant, they promised jobs and investment. Sure enough, a week later, the companies and a Trump spokesman announced that the combined company would create

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Ante Upped On Bayer Monsanto Merger – Billions On The Table

The merger would eliminate direct competition between two of the largest players in the traited seed sector, potentially driving up food prices for American consumers.

Brandon Turbeville
بواسطة Brandon Turbeville
A protestor demonstrates against Monsanto in the annual world March Against Monsanto.

The possibility of a merger between German pharmaceutical and chemical company Bayer AG and multinational seed and pesticide corporation Monsanto Co. has just increased with the recent rounds of discussions between the two companies. Having been in discussion regarding Bayer’s potential purchase of Monsanto for some time, Bayer has now suggested

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Good News For Consumers As Comcast, Time-Warner Mega-Merger Fails

‘FCC seems to have heard the nearly one million Americans who have told Washington that the proposed merger helps only the people in the executive suites of Comcast and Time Warner Cable,’ says Free Press .

Jon Queally
بواسطة Jon Queally

Despite a ferocious lobbying effort to get federal approval for a deal since last year, cable giant Comcast is planning to drop its highly-contested bid to merge with its largest competitor Time-Warner, reports Bloomberg news on Thursday. According to Bloomberg: Comcast Corp. is planning to walk away from its proposed $45 billion takeover of

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Who Supports Comcast-Time Warner Merger? Follow the Money

And who opposes it? Customers.

Jon Queally
بواسطة Jon Queally

With cable giant Comcast still hoping to receive a federal blessing for its bid to acquire Time Warner Cable, currently its largest rival, the lobbying blitz is in full swing to sway lawmakers and federal regulators that the mega-merger will not, as critics charge, negatively impact consumers by further monopolizing an already highly-concentrated

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