Final answer:
The 1996 Telecommunications Act does not put strict limits on the number of radio and TV stations a company can own; it actually removed these limits, allowing greater media consolidation and the emergence of larger conglomerates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that The 1996 Telecommunications Act puts strict limits on the number of radio and TV stations any one company can own is false. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 actually relaxed many previous restrictions, removing the limit on the number of radio stations and television stations that a single company could own. Previously, companies were limited to owning 40 radio stations and 12 television stations. Post-1996, networks were also allowed to purchase numerous cable stations. This led to increased consolidation within the industry and the formation of larger media conglomerates.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees the purchase of stations to avoid complete monopolies by monitoring that a single company's combined TV stations viewership does not exceed 35% of U.S. households. The FCC continues to regulate interstate communications, including licensing radio stations and enforcing ownership limits.