Media Consolidation Silences Local Voices:
Nexstar is the largest local television station owner in the United States, reaching over 68% of U.S. households through direct ownership and shared services agreements.
This kind of consolidation leads to fewer independent voices in local media. Instead of community-driven reporting, we get cookie-cutter news scripts sent from corporate headquarters — often with political or commercial bias. When one company controls the message, it’s not journalism — it’s propaganda dressed up as news.
The sudden firing of Jimmy Kimmel, a long-standing late-night host and cultural voice, is more than just a network decision—it’s a warning shot. While some may view this as simply the end of a celebrity’s run, the implications stretch far beyond one man’s career.
Here in Baton Rouge, Fox 44 (WGMB TV 44), located at 10000 Perkins Road, is owned by Nexstar. That means our community’s stories, too, are subject to the same top-down control that silences local voices and sidelines authentic journalism.
That’s why Indivisible Baton Rouge is inviting you to stand with us in a peaceful demonstration. On Wednesday, September 24, from 5–6 PM, we will gather outside Fox 44 TV Station, 10000 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 to hold signs and make our voices heard. Together, we can send a clear message to Nexstar and Fox 44: our community deserves independent media, not corporate propaganda.