#NNPA BlackPress

FCC Hammered for Scuttling Standard General-TEGNA Deal

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Kim, who is also Standard General’s Chief Investment Officer, said he is at a loss as to why the process played out the way it did. “We are well over a year. There’s never been a ruling-conforming TV acquisition. It’s never taken 180 days, which is the guideline the FCC uses,”
The post PRESS ROOM: FCC Hammered for Scuttling Standard General-TEGNA Deal first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

November 3, 2023

Oakland Post

By Barrington M. Salmon
NNPA Newswire

In February last year, TEGNA – which owns 64 television stations in 51 US markets –agreed to be acquired by Standard General for $8.6 billion, including debt. The deal was expected to close in late 2022. But an unanticipated hurdle came in the form of Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel who instructed the FCC’s Media Bureau to designate the deal for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. “As part of the FCC’s mission, we are responsible for determining whether the grant of the applications constituting this transaction serves the public interest,” said Rosenworcel. “That’s why we’re asking for closer review to ensure that this transaction does not anti-competitively raise prices or put local newsrooms at risk.”

She said the judge needed to weigh in on “material concerns in the record related to how the proposed transaction could artificially raise prices for consumers and result in job losses.” At the time, observers and experts said if Rosenworcel’s decision did not kill the deal –as it had in other instances – it would delay a decision for months. In the end, the FCC left Standard General hanging for more than 420 days, never offering any reasons for the delay, ultimately opting not to bring the deal up for a vote and allowing the May 22 deadline to pass without comment. In the weeks and months before the May 22 financial deadline, Standard General’s founding and management partner Soo Kim, said in an exclusive interview, that Standard General fully expected “the FCC to come back and give updates, status reports and answer its remaining questions.” Indeed, he explained, when the deal came before the FCC, the expectation was that commissioners would study the details of the deal and schedule a straight up-and-down vote.

Kim, who is also Standard General’s Chief Investment Officer, said he is at a loss as to why the process played out the way it did. “We are well over a year. There’s never been a ruling-conforming TV acquisition. It’s never taken 180 days, which is the guideline the FCC uses,” said Kim, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved with his family to New York City when he was five. “The presumption is that if the government is taking a long time, it’s because of weighty issues but we don’t know.”

Kim – an independent director of Bally’s Corporation and the preceding entity Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc. since 2016 – said the FCC hadn’t reached out or spoken to Standard General for six months. “It feels like a delay tactic. It’s pretty nuts. The presumption is that dealing with the government means there should be some response. There’s no precedent for no response at all,” he said. “It’s one thing if they said the deal is faulty. There’s nowhere to go. No recourse. We’ve answered every question the FCC posed. We can’t go to court. It’s sort of an interesting situation. There’s no analogy to this happening.”

Supporters of the deal agreed with Kim, who in a statement said, “The FCC Media Bureau’s unprecedented move to scuttle the Standard General-TEGNA transaction jeopardized a historic strengthening of local news and expansion of diversity in the ownership of local broadcast television stations, despite the transaction having widespread support and being consistent with all FCC regulations and precedent.” Former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn agreed, saying she was one of those supporters pushing the FCC to schedule and take a straight up-and-down vote before the expiration of the deadline.

“It’s not like this applicant is a stranger. We can look at what they’ve done to see what they do. Full consideration by this full administrative body to vote on this issue could be game-changing,” said Clyburn, who was the publisher and general manager of The Coastal Times, a Charleston-based family-founded newspaper for 14 years. “He is making unprecedented promises that we all say we want and need, such as freezing employee numbers for three years, and $5 million to train employees.” “Soo agreed to freeze layoffs and develop pathways for different opportunities for employees. He signed MOUs and agreements. Then to be stuck in limbo by regulatory procedures, not even having a path to consideration, is harmful to the applicants. We’re hoping for a pathway not an exercise in futility.”

Clyburn, who served her two terms on the FCC from August 3, 2009, to February 19, 2013, said despite the challenges, she was hopeful the issue could be resolved. Some who opposed the deal include media mogul Byron Allen who came in second bidding for TEGNA, some labor union reps, and Common Cause, which takes issue with a hedge fund controlling television stations and other media outlets. The deal also drew opposition from House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren who pressed Rosenworcel to very carefully vet certain aspects of the deal. Warren expressed concerns about the deal being an anti-competitive consolidation that might have led to increased retransmission-consent fees, layoffs, and reduced competition for ads.

But there were others, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Cathy MacMasters Rogers, who sided with Kim and Standard General and excoriated Rosenworcel in letters and hearings this summer. “Faced with a 2-2 Commission and a lawful transaction she wanted to kill, she skipped a Commission-level vote on the Standard General-TEGNA transaction and directed the FCC’s Media Bureau to do her bidding,” Cruz said. “And to top it off, there is widespread suspicion that the Chairwoman quashed the deal to benefit a longtime Democrat donor. (Her actions) “seriously damaged the FCC’s reputation and damaged broadcasters’ ability “to compete against big tech companies and provide local journalism.”

“The opposition has changed constantly,” said Kim. “They say that we’d raise rates for consumers and fire a lot of employees. They also told us they don’t like hedge funds or private equity in the media. It is another misconception – state pension funds, retirees, large institutional investors – that’s our base.” Kim said the FCC’s decision puts a chill on the prospect of future minority investment in broadcasting and sets the stage for unfair treatment from bureaucrats towards future parties with transactions before the commission. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told a reporter after an April FCC hearing he was deeply concerned about the delay because it went against the FCC’s publicly stated support for diversity.

“I believe the application deserves a straight up-and-down vote. Diversity is important. The FCC should remove any impediments,” said Carr, the senior Republican on the FCC who once served as the agency’s general counsel. “It’s been a year-long process. Local news is sputtering by the moment.” With that reality, Carr said, the FCC needs to create incentives adding that the deal – if approved – would represent “a really break-glass moment.”

“Hundreds of local newspapers have shut down over the last few years alone. This trend is part of a broader decline in the investments necessary to sustain the journalists and reporters that are vital to communities across the country,” Carr said in a Feb 24, 2023, joint statement with Commissioner Nathan Simington after the public review. “Many of the nation’s local TV stations are trying to step up and expand their newsgathering operations. At this moment, the FCC should be working to encourage more of the investment necessary for these local broadcasters to innovate and thrive. It does the opposite today. After a protracted, nearly yearlong review, the commission should be providing the parties with a decision on the merits – not an uncertain future.”

The post PRESS ROOM: FCC Hammered for Scuttling Standard General-TEGNA Deal first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Bullying in California: In Some School Districts, Black Students are Targeted by Their Latino Peers

Don't Miss

Henry Ossian Flipper: A Trailblazer’s Journey from Injustice to Honor

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Mother and Son, United in Purpose: How Regina and Judah Are Changing the Future of Early Childhood Education—Together

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — This Mother’s Day, we honor not just the love between a mother and her child, but the shared dreams, grit, and determination that can make those dreams a reality.

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2025

Oakland Post

By Stacey Finkel

This Mother’s Day, we honor not just the love between a mother and her child, but the shared dreams, grit, and determination that can make those dreams a reality. Regina, 44, and her son Judah, 18, are proof that purpose has no age limit—and that it’s never too late or too early to answer a calling. Regina knows what perseverance looks like. It took her ten years to earn her first college degree, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood from Ashworth College. Life, as it so often does, had other plans—plans that called her away from school and into the real world. But she never let go of her goals or her belief in the power of education. That steadfast commitment planted a seed not only for herself but for her son. Now, Regina and Judah are both enrolled in a scholarship program at the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC), housed at Delaware State University (DSU) in Wilmington, Delaware’s only Historically Black College and University. This program allows them to study in any early childhood education-related degree program across the entire state of Delaware. Regina attends Wilmington University, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Education Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Judah attends DSU and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. They are shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart—committed to equity, access, and the transformational power of teaching.

There’s something uniquely beautiful about a mother and son learning at the same time, not just in life, but in the classroom. They study together, encourage each other, and even bring their academic lessons to life while working at Chosen Children’s Child Care in Wilmington, where they support the development of the next generation of learners. Their shared experiences, both as students and as educators, deepen their bond and strengthen their shared commitment to the children they serve. But what truly sets their story apart is the community surrounding them. The Early Childhood Innovation Center is more than a scholarship program. It’s a lifeline, a launchpad, and a promise: You can do this. The faculty and staff meet students where they are—whether they’re returning to school after a decade or stepping into college for the first time. Regina and Judah both credit ECIC with giving them the resources, mentorship, and belief they need to succeed. For Black families, and especially Black mothers, the road to higher education can be long and often filled with obstacles. But what Regina and Judah show us is that when one person refuses to give up, they can inspire an entire legacy. Education becomes not just a goal, but a family value passed down. “I used to feel like I was falling behind because it took me so long to finish,” Regina says. “But now I see that every step was preparing me for this moment—alongside my son, showing him and others that no matter how long it takes, you can finish. You just can’t give up.” This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate mothers like Regina, who never stop striving, and sons like Judah, who walk beside them with pride. Let’s celebrate the power of Black institutions like DSU and innovative spaces like the Early Childhood Innovation Center that don’t just educate—they uplift.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Trump Abruptly Fires First Carla Hayden: The First Black Woman to Serve as Librarian of Congress

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hayden made history in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to run the Library of Congress. Her firing arrived in the form of an abrupt email in the evening hours.

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2025

Oakland Post

By Lauren Burke

President Donald Trump abruptly fired the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on May 8. Hayden made history in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to run the Library of Congress. Her firing arrived in the form of an abrupt email in the evening hours. There are fears that President Trump may also target a second prominent Black federal official, Smithsonian Chief Lonnie Bunch, for no other reason than the perceived political bias in a position not known for partisan activity. “Carla, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” the terse communication to Hayden read. The Library of Congress confirmed that Hayden had been informed she was fired by The White House. According to the Associated Press, Hayden “recently faced criticism from a conservative advocacy group aligned with Trump’s political allies. The group, the American Accountability Foundation, accused her and other library officials of promoting children’s books with what it called “radical” themes.”

Since his return to office Trump’s Administration has been focused on removing anyone who may disagree with their policy agenda. Many of the removals have introduced a sense of partisanship that Washington hasn’t seen in certain sectors such as the Library of Congress. “This is yet another example in the disturbing pattern of the President removing dedicated public servants without cause—likely to fill the position with one of his ‘friends’ who is not qualified and does not care about protecting America’s legacy,” wrote House Democrat Rosa DeLauro in a statement on Hayden’s firing. “President Trump’s unjustified decision to fire Dr. Carla Hayden as the Librarian of Congress is deeply troubling and just the latest example of Trump’s assault on the legislative branch of government. It’s also the latest demonstration of his blatant disregard for public servants who dedicate their lives to serving the American people,” wrote U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California in a statement late on May 8.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Black America Celebrates African Descent Heritage of Pope Leo XIV

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Pope’s factual anthropological roots are not just symbolic. According to genealogist Jari Honora, his maternal lineage traces directly to the Black community of New Orleans’ 7th Ward, with family ties to Haiti, and census records identifying his ancestors as “Black” or “Mulatto.”

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Black America is taking pride in a truth shaking up the Vatican and resonating through the streets of New Orleans: Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago—has Black and Creole roots. The Pope’s factual anthropological roots are not just symbolic. According to genealogist Jari Honora, his maternal lineage traces directly to the Black community of New Orleans’ 7th Ward, with family ties to Haiti, and census records identifying his ancestors as “Black” or “Mulatto.” “By the Europeans’ own ‘1/8th’ rules, we have a Black Pope,” noted author Elie Mystal declared. “Anyway, Pope’s grandfather is Haitian. We kind of got a Black Pope. ‘End Woke’ is not gonna be happy about this.” Further, New Orleans historian Jari Christopher Honora also speaking to the National Catholic Reporter and Black Catholic Messenger, detailed how the pope’s grandparents married in 1887 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on Annette Street in New Orleans before migrating north. His mother, Mildred Martínez, was the first child in the family born in Chicago. “The Holy Father’s ancestors are identified as either Black or Mulatto,” Honora said.

The Chicago Tribune and New York Times also reported on Pope Leo’s mixed-race background and Creole lineage, noting that his election marks a defining moment in the Church’s evolving identity. “As a Black man, a proud son of New Orleans, and the U.S. Congressman representing the very 7th Ward neighborhood where our new Pope’s family hails from, I am bursting with pride today,” said Rep. Troy Carter. “This is history! The first American Pope, with Creole and Haitian roots, rising from the streets of New Orleans to the Vatican. As a Xavier University alum, I know how deeply faith and resilience run in our community. We celebrate this moment—with joy, with prayers, and with pride.” Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial called Leo XIV’s background “universal,” saying, “Here’s an American whose ministry was in Peru, who has roots in the American South and also ancestry in the American Black community.” Leo XIV is a member of the Augustinian Order, named after the African theologian St. Augustine of Hippo. His election came from a conclave in which two other leading contenders—Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo—were also men of African descent.

But Leo XIV stood apart—not just as the first pope from the U.S. but as one known for his outspokenness on racial justice, immigrant rights, gun reform, and the abolition of the death penalty. TIME Magazine reported that his selection represented a Vatican rebuke of efforts by wealthy Americans and political operatives aligned with Donald Trump to influence the papal outcome. Known in Rome as “The Latin Yankee,” Leo XIV used his verified X account (@drprevost) to amplify criticism of Trump-era immigration policies, often reposting commentary from respected Catholic figures. The New York Post reported that his last post before his election was a retweet of Catholic journalist Rocco Palmo slamming Trump’s alliance with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele over migrant deportations. Back in 2017, the Roman Catholic leader also reposted a message quoting Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich, calling Trump’s refugee bans “a dark hour of US history.”

Though Trump offered lukewarm congratulations from the White House driveway, his far-right allies were quick to lash out. Laura Loomer tweeted, “WOKE MARXIST POPE,” calling Pope Leo “just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican.”But outside the MAGA echo chamber, in Black communities across the globe, the emotion is pride. “The pope is Black,” journalist Clarence Hill Jr. said bluntly. And that means something in the Black neighborhoods of Chicago and the Creole corridors of New Orleans. Many said it means representation, resilience, and the reshaping of history at the highest level of the Catholic Church. “We celebrate this moment—not because it erases the struggles of our past, but because it affirms that our faith, our heritage, and our presence matter,” Rep. Carter said. “This is history, and it belongs to all of us.” The. Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. affirmed, “On behalf of the Black Press of America as the authentic voice of 50 million African Americans and millions more throughout the African diaspora, we join to celebrate Pope Leo XVI, a world leader of African descent who speaks truth to power with courage and grace.”