FCC GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF BROADCAST MEDIA

1
FCCGOVERNMENT REGULATION OF BROADCAST MEDIA

• Federal Communication Commission

2
Regulation

• FCC Act of 1934
• Regulate radio, telegraph, telephone (TV,
  microwave)
• 7 members appointed by president and confirmed by
  senate

3
Gov controls on media

• Airwaves belong to the public
• Radio/TV used to be bound by "public service"
  requirements
• 1996 Telecom Act Reduced limits on media
  consolidation
• Promised more choice, lower prices

4
June 2, 2003

• FCC Regulations Relaxed
• Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership
• National Broadcast Ownership Cap
• Local Radio Ownership Rule
• Duopoly Rule
• Regulation Maintained
• Dual Network Rule

5
(No Transcript)
6
Criticisms

• Mergers limit number of independent voices in
  media
• Localism community
• Corporate accountability
• Facilitates censorship
• Monopolies non-competitive

7
Democracy and TV News

• Why might we be concerned about the nature of TV
  news?

8
(No Transcript)