Horsford Introduces Bill Advancing Minority & Women Ownership of Broadcast TV, Radio

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) today introduced The Broadcast VOICES (Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service) Act, to reestablish the Federal Communications Commission’s Minority Tax Certificate Program (MTCP). 

From 1978 to 1995, the MTCP provided a tax incentive to those who sold their majority interest in a broadcast station to diverse individuals, increasing diverse ownership in broadcast stations by more than 550 percent.

“Diverse ownership in broadcasting helps amplify voices, viewpoints and perspectives that our society has historically silenced,” Rep. Horsford said. “The Minority Tax Certificate Program’s nearly twenty-year success record diversifying broadcast ownership speaks for itself – not just in effective tax incentives, but also in creating economic opportunities and empowering disadvantaged communities. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Cleaver on the Broadcast VOICES Act to make sure America’s airwaves reflect the diversity of our people.”

“Kansas City is proud to be home of the oldest Black-owned radio broadcast company in the United States, serving as a prime example of the quality and community connection that comes with minority-owned media outlets,”Rep. Cleaver said. “I’m honored to introduce the Broadcast VOICES Act with my friend Congressman Horsford, which will ensure opportunities are provided to more women- and minority-owned broadcasters who uplift the voices of communities that are far too often overlooked.”

Data from 2021 shows that less than six percent full power commercial broadcast television stations in the United States are owned by women and less than four percent are minority-owned. 

Data also shows approximately nine percent of FM broadcast radio stations are owned by women, while less than three percent are owned by minorities. 

The Broadcast VOICES Act is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Broadcasters, and the Nevada Broadcasters Association. 

“Local stations are trusted, reliable and a cornerstone of their communities because they reflect the audiences they serve,” National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Curtis LeGeytsaid. “NAB is steadfast in our commitment to access-to-capital initiatives that open the door for more radio and television station ownership opportunities. A reinstated tax certificate program is a proven tool to help achieve that goal. Broadcasters are grateful to Reps. Horsford and Cleaver for their leadership in introducing this important legislation, and we urge Congress to move quickly to pass the Broadcast VOICES Act.” 

"The Nevada Broadcasters Association offers its full and enthusiastic endorsement of the Broadcast VOICES Act,” Nevada Broadcasters Association President Mitch Fox said. “We believe this legislative initiative will become a vital part of the broadcasting ecosystem by fostering inclusivity and diversity among our local stations. The Broadcast VOICES Act would help ensure station ownership reflects broad backgrounds and speaks to all audiences. We thank Congressman Horsford for his continued leadership on this issue which will have a positive impact on our local stations and the communities in which they serve.” 

The Broadcast VOICES Act would:

• Reestablish a Minority Tax Certificate Program.
• Establish a tax credit for broadcast owners who donate their stations to train individuals new in the management and operation of broadcast stations, equal to the fair market value of the station.
• Require annual reports from the Federal Communications Commission on:
  • Ways to increase minority and/or women-controlled broadcast stations;
  • Whether to expand the tax certificate program to other commission-regulated entities;
  • Whether there is a nexus between diversity of ownership and diversity of the viewpoints broadcast by stations;
  • Annual sales for which certificates have been issued.

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