Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 20 that he has joined a coalition of eight attorneys general in filing an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to halt the merger between Tegna Inc. and Nexstar Media Group Inc. The move follows recent approval of the merger by the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The proposed deal would create the largest broadcast station group in the United States, raising concerns about reduced competition, potential job losses, and higher cable bills for consumers. Raoul said, “I join my fellow attorneys general in asking the court to stop this illegal merger between Nexstar and TEGNA. If allowed to proceed, it would create a broadcast behemoth with control over an unprecedented share of broadcast television content, including local news and sports.” He added, “The effect would mean higher prices for Illinois consumers, less competition in local news and job cuts to newsrooms and on-air staff. Now more than ever, consumers should have access to the diverse ideas represented in independent newsrooms.”
If completed, the merger would combine two of the nation’s largest television-station conglomerates into a company covering 80% of U.S. television households. In Illinois markets such as Chicago, Quad Cities, and St. Louis (which includes southwestern Illinois), both companies already own major network affiliates. According to Raoul’s office, there have already been reported newsroom staff reductions at WGN-TV in Chicago ahead of the merger.
Raoul also criticized federal oversight of similar mergers in recent years: “The Trump administration has shown states and consumers that it is more concerned with protecting corporate interests than in doing its job to defend the public and uphold consumer protection and antitrust laws that help make life more affordable for American families.”
The Illinois Attorney General’s office has a history of advocating for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors according to its official website. The office handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website, aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities according to its official website, extends advocacy efforts across Illinois according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies according to its official website, and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights issues according to its official website.
Joining Raoul in challenging the merger are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia.