A recent court decision banned locally-owned newspaper/broadcasting combinations, or cross-ownership, and ordered divestiture to protect the public interest according to the First Amendment. However, these rulings promoting cross-ownership divestiture merit questioning for several reasons. First, evidence reveals that locally-owned television stations have served the public interest and have won awards in the categories of news, public affairs, and non-entertainment; divestiture would encourage outside ownership. Moreover, these rulings are in conflict with the Federal Communications Commission policy of local ownership. Finally, these rulings are based on a theory of the First Amendment that diversity always serves the common good, and this theory is open to varied interpretations. While antitrust statutes protect competition and economic diversity in business, media must market the freedom to speak ideas; joint efforts in this endeavor can serve the public interest in a positive manner. (MAI)