George Soros moves to acquire 200 radio stations amid FCC controversy

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly approved a deal that would allow George Soros to acquire over 200 Audacy radio stations across the United States. This decision, made just weeks before the presidential election, has raised concerns among Republican commissioners, particularly Commissioner Nathan Simington, who objected to the process. The approval came after a partisan vote, with the three Democratic commissioners supporting the move while the two Republicans opposed it. Soros's acquisition is controversial due to existing FCC rules that limit foreign ownership of U.S. radio stations to 25%. Soros's bid involved foreign investment, prompting him to request an exception to the usual review process. The FCC's decision to fast-track this deal marks a significant deviation from standard procedures, as it bypassed the national security review process that typically takes a year or more. Critics argue that this expedited approval creates a special pathway for Soros, with concerns about the implications for media ownership and influence. The deal would allow Soros to reach over 165 million Americans, raising alarms about the potential impact on conservative talk radio stations in key states like Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. The FCC spokesperson noted that no decision is final until officially released, and the application pertains to a transfer from Audacy in bankruptcy to post-bankruptcy. However, the process has sparked debate about fairness and transparency in media ownership regulations, especially in the context of the upcoming election.