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The WrapThe federal government is preparing an inquiry into the endangered field of news and reporting -- and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz is dropping some broad hints about what will be in it.
In an exclusive interview with TheWrap, Leibowitz expressed some sympathy to easing antitrust enforcement of media consolidations to prevent more newspapers from folding or further declines in TV news staffs.
... Currently anti-trust laws forbid a single company in a city buying the local daily newspaper, local TV stations and the local cable provider and then using that monopoly to set high ad rates. However, some broadcasters and newspaper companies are arguing that only the administrative efficiencies gained through joint ownership can preserve news coverage.
“We are strong believers in the antitrust laws and in opposing exemptions from the antitrust laws,” Leibowitz told TheWrap, “but when you think about other values, and you think about the First Amendment, this might be one of those rare industries where you must think about ways to ensure the vibrancy of news.”
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http://www.thewrap.com/article/ftc-chief-may-ease-anti-trust-laws-save-news_4744