In a letter sent today to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, more than 20 national and state organizations, led by the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF), urged the FCC to avoid intervening in affiliation agreements freely negotiated between broadcast networks and local television station owners.

The letter notes that affiliation swap agreements historically do not require FCC approval, that sophisticated parties on both sides of any negotiation are best positioned to understand their own costs, audiences, competitive pressures, and business needs, and that attaching potential license renewal consequences to lawful affiliation changes risks picking winners and losers in the marketplace and could set a dangerous precedent. 

The letter follows recent media reports indicating that the FCC is investigating several affiliation changes. 

In addition to CFIF, the letter was signed by representatives of the following organizations:  Americans for Tax Reform, Beacon Center of Tennessee, Center for a Free Economy, Citizens Against Government Waste, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, Consumer Choice Center, Committee for Justice, Digital Liberty, Frontiers of Freedom, Innovation Economy Institute, Innovation and Technology Policy Center, Institute for Policy Innovation, Jersey 1st, The Market Institute, National Taxpayers Union, Parkview Institute, Pelican Institute for Public Policy, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

Read the letter below or here (PDF).