FCC: ‘So Long, Main Studio Rule.’
Democrat Mignon Clyburn remarked, “Today is a solemn one, in the history of television and radio broadcasting. By eliminating the main studio rule in its entirety for all broadcast stations — regardless of size or location — the FCC signals that it no longer believes, those awarded a license to use the public airwaves, should have a local presence in their community.” Clyburn also said a toll-free number didn’t cut it.
Commissioner Michael O’Rielly said they were simply getting rid of an unnecessary and burdensome rule that no longer made sense in a world of social media and the Internet. “It does not eliminate localism,” he insisted.