This study explores the underlying logic of the FCC’s “voices” criteria that long have been used in assessing media ownership regulations. Specifically, the authors illustrate how the definition of a “voice” in a media market often has been tied to the assumption that any individual voice serves as a significant source of local news and/or public affairs content. The authors illustrate the dangers of employing such an assumption within the context of television and radio stations by illustrating the frequency with which individual stations – which the FCC typically would characterize as a “voice” – provide no local news or public affairs programming. The authors consequently suggest that the FCC adjust their analytical framework to account for “silent voices.”