The decisions are part of a broad trend of media deregulation running through the courts and federal agencies since Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The agency's deregulation in June 2003 of America's media-ownership rules (which limit the freedom of firms with public-broadcasting licences to buy other media companies) got partially reversed by Congress (in December 2003), and then put on ice altogether by the courts (in June 2004).

ECONOMIST: Face value

"One of the consequences of deregulation has been more format diversity, " contends Mark Fratrik, a vice president of media consultant BIAFinancial Network.

FORBES: Free the Airwaves