In a stunning decision that has ignited fierce debate, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a fast-track deal allowing billionaire George Soros to acquire over 200 radio stations across 40 markets. This unprecedented approval has sparked allegations of political maneuvering, given that it circumvents established national security review protocols, particularly in light of Soros' foreign investment ties. As the November elections loom, the implications of this media consolidation raise critical questions about bias and transparency in the airwaves.
TPV: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has controversially approved a deal to “fast-track” globalist billionaire George Soros’ takeover of more than 200 radio stations in 40 markets before the US election in November.
On Wednesday, the FEC’s three Democrats voted in favor of Soros’ purchase even though it blatantly contravenes FEC rules. The two Republicans on the commission voted against it.
According to FCC regulations, a months-long national security review is supposed to take place before such a purchase is approved because Soros’ ownership would exceed a 25% stake, but the agency reportedly waived that rule for the first time in history.
BREAKING: Tim Walz raised money today at the home of Alex Soros in New York2nd meeting with him in 1 month pic.twitter.com/qbfSOvclpi— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 24, 2024
From the New York Post:
Under existing FCC rules, foreign company ownership of US radio stations is not supposed to exceed 25%. Soros took foreign investment to make his bid and then made a filing asking the commission to make an exception to the usual review process, according to public documents.
The FCC decision to fast-track his deal is the first time in modern history such a deal has been approved by the full Commission without first running the national security review process—a process that could take up to a year or more.
The Soros group says they will come back to the FCC at some point in the future to run that process.
The Soros purchase threatens to re-orient the media landscape in favor of far-left Democrat candidates in the weeks before the November election.
The Soros Fund Management in February bought up $400 million of debt into Audacy, the nation’s second-largest radio company, which operates stations like New York’s WFAN and 1010 WINS, Los Angeles-based KROQ, as well as a handful of conservative shows from hosts including Sean Hannity, Dana Loesch, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck and Erick Erickson.
Soros’s stake is equal to about 40% of the company’s senior debt — while not a majority stake, it could still effectively give him control of the media giant when it emerges from bankruptcy, sources say.
An FCC spokesperson insisted that “no decision is final until the Commission releases it, which we have not.”
“The Commission has a long-standing process for reviewing transactions that involve emergence from bankruptcy,” the spokesperson added, noting that the application before the Commission pertains to a transfer from Audacy in bankruptcy, to Audacy post-bankruptcy.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr blasted the agency’s decision as a political ploy that benefits the far-left billionaire.
“The Commission has never signed off on something like that without first running a national security review, but we apparently do…for the first time ever simply to benefit the Soros group, it seems like,” Carr told conservative host Dana Loesch on Monday.
The article discusses the FCC's recent approval of George Soros’ acquisition of radio stations, highlighting the significant concerns of foreign control and media bias. The decision has drawn criticism from Republican commissioners, who argue that it undermines long-standing regulations meant to protect national interests. Soros, through his investments, could potentially reshape the media landscape, favoring left-leaning narratives in a critical election period. This event marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of politics and media ownership in the U.S.