
Senator John Kennedy raises alarm over FCC’s swift approval of George Soros’ radio station acquisition, hinting at potential political motivations and media influence.
Quick Takes
- FCC’s expedited approval of Soros’ acquisition of 200+ radio stations sparks controversy
- Sen. Kennedy questions integrity of approval process, suggesting political incentives
- Soros invested $400 million in Audacy after bankruptcy, raising concerns about media influence
- FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr criticizes lack of transparency in approval process
- Congressional Republicans vow to investigate the deal’s approval
FCC’s Swift Approval Raises Eyebrows
U.S. Senator John Kennedy has voiced strong criticism over the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rapid endorsement of George Soros’ acquisition of over 200 radio stations through Audacy. The deal, which involved complex financial restructuring, has sparked suspicion from Kennedy regarding the speed and integrity of the FCC’s process. This acquisition has ignited debates about Soros’ potential influence on American media narratives and the political landscape.
The controversy began in February 2024 when Soros invested $400 million in Audacy, a major radio station owner, following its bankruptcy filing. The FCC’s approval of the deal in October, with a 3-2 party-line vote, has prompted congressional Republicans to pledge an investigation into the matter. Kennedy, known for his colorful language, described the approval process as going through the FCC “like green grass through a goose,” highlighting the unusual speed of the transaction.
George Soros-backed group acquires over 200 Audacy radio stations with FCC's fast-track approval. #MediaTakeover https://t.co/HRs7imAzE5
— NewsRadio WFLA (@WFLANews) September 25, 2024
Concerns Over Process and Transparency
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, now the chairman, has been vocal in his criticism of the approval process. Carr pointed out that the FCC deviated from its standard procedures for reviewing such transactions, suggesting a lack of transparency and possibly involving foreign money. This departure from established protocols has raised serious questions about the integrity of the approval process and the potential for political motivations behind the rushed decision.
“The FCC is not following its normal process for reviewing transactions that it has established over a number of years. It seems to me the FCC is poised, for the first time, to create an entirely new shortcut,” said Carr.
Carr further alleged that Democrats in FCC leadership had orchestrated a “secret, backroom deal” that kept Republican FCC Commissioners uninformed before hastily announcing the approval on a Friday afternoon. This lack of transparency has only fueled suspicions about the deal’s legitimacy and the potential influence of political considerations in its approval.
Soros’ Media Influence and Political Strategy
George Soros’ acquisition of these radio stations is viewed by many as part of a broader strategy to influence American politics through media control. Soros has a history of funding various left-wing political causes, including abortion rights, district attorney elections, racial justice agendas, and media fact-checking initiatives. This latest move into radio station ownership has intensified concerns about the concentration of media power and its potential impact on public discourse.
The acquisition of Audacy’s radio stations is not an isolated incident in Soros’ media portfolio expansion. Reports indicate that Soros-backed entities have also acquired significant media assets, such as Maine’s largest newspaper network. This pattern of media acquisitions has raised alarms about the potential for a small group of wealthy individuals to shape public opinion and influence political outcomes through control of diverse media outlets.
Calls for Investigation and Accountability
Senator Kennedy has called for a comprehensive examination of the deal by Brendan Carr, the FCC’s new chairman. The senator emphasizes the necessity of public understanding of media ownership and urges for accountability and clarity in these dealings. With congressional Republicans vowing to investigate the approval process, the controversy surrounding Soros’ radio station acquisition is likely to remain a focal point of political and media discussions in the coming months.
As this situation unfolds, it underscores the ongoing debate about media ownership concentration and its implications for democratic discourse. The swift approval of such a significant media acquisition has raised important questions about regulatory oversight, transparency in FCC processes, and the potential for wealthy individuals to exert undue influence over public information channels. The outcome of any forthcoming investigations may have far-reaching consequences for media regulation and ownership policies in the United States.