Sen. Cotton urges FCC to review Soros's radio station acquisitions

In the United States, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has raised concerns regarding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) expedited approval of George Soros's acquisition of over 200 radio stations across 40 markets. This decision, made just weeks before the upcoming election, bypassed the standard national security review process, which typically scrutinizes foreign investments in U.S. media. Cotton's letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel highlights the potential implications of this purchase, particularly its influence on conservative programming and the airwaves leading up to the election. Cotton argues that the FCC's decision undermines its political impartiality and poses risks to national security, especially given that Soros Fund Management secured $400 million in foreign investments for the deal. Under existing FCC regulations, foreign ownership of U.S. radio stations is limited to 25%, raising questions about the legality of Soros's bid. The senator points out that this is the first instance in modern history where such a significant transaction was approved without a thorough review. The approval process was notably swift, with the FCC reportedly attempting to finalize the transaction with only 48 hours' notice. The decision was made on a party-line vote, with Democrats supporting the deal and Republicans opposing it. Cotton has demanded answers from Rosenworcel regarding the expedited process, setting a deadline for her response just days before the election, indicating the urgency and seriousness of his concerns. This situation has sparked a broader debate about media ownership, foreign influence, and the integrity of the electoral process in the United States, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections.