The Newspaper Association of America disagrees with the sentiments shared by Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, regarding proposed regulatory changes that the Federal Communications Commission is considering for broadcast-newspaper cross-ownership in local markets (“Bad rule, bad tactics from FCC,” Op-ed, Jan. 5). The current cross-ownership ban, adopted nearly 40 years ago, is outdated in a media marketplace that has seen explosive growth and diversity of voices in this digital age.

Congress gave the FCC a mandate to review media ownership rules, and update them if necessary, every four years. More than a year ago, the FCC released a public notice for comment that described modest changes to the cross-ownership ban and identified the urgent need for new investments in local news operations.