Thursday, June 20, 2024

Report: FCC Fast-Tracking Soros Radio Takeover (Connecting the Dots: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Obama, Sidley Austin LLP, President's Intelligence Advisory Board, Michael Powell & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Report: FCC Fast-Tracking Soros Radio Takeover (Connecting the Dots: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Obama, Sidley Austin LLP, President's Intelligence Advisory Board, Michael Powell & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Newsmax.com

By Nicole Wells    |   Tuesday, 18 June 2024 07:58 PM EDT

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fcc-george-soros-radio/2024/06/18/id/1169251/

The Democrat-majority Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is fast-tracking progressive billionaire George Soros' takeover of the second-largest radio network in the United States just months before the 2024 presidential election.

In February, Soros Fund Management purchased $400 million of debt in Audacy, which is the No. 2 U.S. broadcaster after iHeartMedia, the New York Post reported, citing bankruptcy filings.

The network, which owns more than 220 stations nationwide and reaches 165 million monthly listeners, broadcasts a small number of conservative shows from hosts including Erick Erickson, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, and Dana Loesch.

Their days at a Soros-controlled station could be numbered, a source with knowledge of the deal told the Post.

"The idea that George Soros is buying hundreds of local radio stations right before a national election and will keep broadcasting Sean Hannity and other conservative talk radio hosts on Audacy is not credible," the source said.

To assume control of the bankrupt network, Soros Fund Management needs the FCC to make an exception and allow a larger than usual percentage of foreign money to purchase it.

Foreign company ownership of U.S. radio stations is not permitted to exceed 25% under existing FCC rules. A filing acquired by the Post shows that Soros asked the commission to make an exception in Audacy's case, however.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr is sounding off about the potential agency assist, telling the Post, "The FCC should not create a special Soros shortcut."

"When it comes to a broadcast station acquisition of this size and magnitude – hundreds of radio stations across more than 45 markets – the FCC needs to run its full and normal review process," Carr said. "The FCC should not be skipping steps or waiving required agency processes."

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, wrote the FCC in late April that the Soros group was trying to waive the usual process and "put it off until sometime down the road — indicating that those foreign stakeholders will be given 'special warrants' in the meantime."

Newsmax reached out to the FCC for comment but did not immediately hear back.

A representative for Soros Fund Management told the Post the company does not comment on ongoing transactions.

It's the latest move into American radio for the left-leaning financier's eponymous company. In 2022, it brokered Univision's $60 million sale of 18 primarily conservative Hispanic radio stations and also acquired the liberal podcast network Crooked Media.

The Post's sources said that Soros' stake in Audacy is around 40% of the company's senior debt, which could give him effective control when it emerges from bankruptcy, despite not being a majority.

Coming just five months before the 2024 presidential election, the timing of the deal has raised questions, as well as eyebrows.

One Republican source told the Post it was possible that Soros was buying the stake in the broadcasting giant to influence public opinion in the run-up to November's election.

"This is scary," the source said.

Connecting the Dots:

Michael K. Powell was the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is Colin L. Powell’s son, the president & CEO for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder of the Soros Fund Management.

Stephen Friedman is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.

Julius Genachowski is a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, was a law school friend of Barack Obama and the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Barack Obama was Julius Genachowski law school friend and an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.

Mark D. Schneider is a partner at Sidley Austin LLP and was an associate general counsel for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

James D. Zirin is a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and was a director at the Human Rights First.

Mark A. Angelson was a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, and a director at the Human Rights First.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Human Rights First.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder of the Soros Fund Management.

Mona K. Sutphen is a director at the Human Rights First, a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board and was an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration.

Stephen Friedman was a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board and is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder of the Soros Fund Management.

Julius Genachowski is a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, was a law school friend of Barack Obama and the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Michael K. Powell  is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), Colin L. Powell’s son, the president & CEO for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and was the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates U.S. outlets for broadcast.

Thomas E. Wheeler is the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and was a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.

Julius Genachowski is a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute (think tank), was a law school friend of Barack Obama and the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Barack Obama was Julius Genachowski law school friend and an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.

Mark D. Schneider is a partner at Sidley Austin LLP and was an associate general counsel for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Mignon Clyburn is a commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and James E. Clyburn’s daughter.

James E. Clyburn is Mignon Clyburn’s father and an honorary co-chair for the Third Way.

Ronald A. Klain is a trustee at the Third Way, the coordinator of government Ebola efforts for the Barack Obama administration and was Albert A. Gore Jr’s chief of staff.

William M. Daley is a trustee at the Third Way, a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and was the chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration.

Albert A. Gore Jr.’s chief of staff was Ronald A. Klain and is a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

Colin L. Powell is a strategic adviser for Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Michael K. Powell’s father.

Michael K. Powell is Colin L. Powell’s son, the president & CEO for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder of the Soros Fund Management.

Julius Genachowski is a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a member of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, was a law school friend of Barack Obama and the chairman for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Resources: Past Research

FCC Chairman Joins Obama to Control Internet (Past Research on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC))

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2015

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2015/01/fcc-chairman-joins-obama-to-control.html

Records: Soros Fund Execs Funded Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, John McCain, John Kasich, Lindsey Graham in 2016 (Past Research on Soros Fund Management)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2017/02/records-soros-fund-execs-funded-paul.html

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