Senator introduces act focused on local media

May 10—Sen. Dr. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, has introduced the Local News and Broadcast Media Preservation Act.

The act would give local broadcasters and newspapers relief from outdated government restrictions that are currently threatening their ability to succeed in an evolving environment, according to a press release from the senator's office.

"With the rise of social media and an ever-changing media landscape, it is imperative that our local newspapers and broadcasters are given the freedom to adapt," Paul said. "My Local News and Broadcast Media Preservation Act gets government out of the way and frees broadcast media from the chains that restrict their ability to better serve their customers."

The act, according to the release, would exempt print, broadcast and digital news organizations from federal antitrust laws to allow them to compete with and negotiate with national tech companies.

The legislation would also allow broadcast companies to merge without government interference, according to the release.

The bill would eliminate local and national caps on radio and television ownership.