5 Additional States Join Lawsuit to Block Nexstar/Tegna Merger
Five additional states have joined a lawsuit to block the Nexstar/Tegna merger, while Ohio reached a separate agreement with the companies.Summary
In March, eight states and DirecTV filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Nexstar/Tegna merger, seeking an injunction. On Thursday, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont joined the original eight states in an amended request for a permanent injunction. Judge Troy Nunley previously issued a preliminary injunction, which Nexstar is appealing. Attorney General Andrea Campbell of Massachusetts stated that residents should not pay for an unlawful merger driving up subscription prices. California AG Rob Bonta welcomed the new states, calling the merger illegal and harmful to consumers and local news. Nexstar countered that blocking the merger would harm local journalism in favor of technology companies. Meanwhile, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced an agreement with Nexstar and Tegna to preserve local news independence and programming, with Nexstar committing to editorial decision-making at the station level.
(Source：Communicationsdaily)