Thirteen States Amend Federal Lawsuit Challenging Nexstar-Tegna Merger

Five states joined a federal antitrust lawsuit on Thursday aimed at stopping the merger of Nexstar and Tegna, which would create the largest operator of local television stations in the country. Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont became plaintiffs in the suit, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office is leading the court challenge.

The attorneys general of Indiana and Kansas are Republicans, while the other attorneys general behind the suit are Democrats.

“This is not controversial stuff — this merger is illegal and will give Nexstar and Tegna the ability to control and raise prices, fire journalists, and dominate the media landscape,” Bonta said on Thursday. Nexstar called the state attorneys general misguided and accused them of strangling local journalism with their legal efforts.

“The AGs, none of whom has a track record of advocating for local media, would do well to understand the industry they purport to protect,” Nexstar said.

The company stated that local broadcast station owners need to grow to better compete with Big Tech platforms. “The alternative to this deal is not more independently owned outlets — it’s the demise of your local broadcast station,” Nexstar said. Tegna did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

The original plaintiffs in the lawsuit include state attorneys general for Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia. Thirteen state attorneys general filed an amended complaint on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley in California issued a preliminary injunction pausing the merger two weeks ago. The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger last month. The Justice Department approved the merger last month.

President Donald Trump publicly backed the merger. S. households.

U.S. Households, according to estimates cited in court documents. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said waiving the rule was consistent with the agency’s legal authority. The FCC’s waiver is the subject of a separate legal challenge filed by a coalition including Newsmax and progressive advocacy groups.

Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy said last month that it was unlawful for the FCC to waive the 39% rule because it was set by an act of Congress and amended in a 2004 law. “the FCC has decided to try to invalidate the law by an administrative decision. I think it’s wrong.

I think it’s a threat to democracy,” Ruddy told NBC News last month. @NBCNews reported these developments from its headquarters coverage in McLean, Virginia, where Tegna is based, drawing on court documents and statements from involved parties.