DC Circuit scrutiny of Nexstar-Tegna puts FCC delegated decisions in spotlight
By Wesley Brown ( May 6, 2026, 21:22 GMT | Comment) -- The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit’s demand for a timeline in litigation tied to the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of the Nexstar-Tegna merger is drawing renewed attention to the agency’s use of delegated authority, a procedural tool that allows bureau-level staff to approve major transactions without a vote by the full commission and might shield decisions from immediate legal challenge while delaying internal review.The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit’s demand for a timeline in litigation tied to the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of the Nexstar-Tegna merger is drawing renewed attention to the agency’s use of delegated authority, a procedural tool that allows bureau-level staff to approve major transactions without a vote by the full commission and might shield decisions from immediate legal challenge while delaying internal review....
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