President Obama's nominee to head the FCC, Julius Genachowski, was on the Hill Tuesday, being questions by members of the Senate Commerce Committee. Some Democrats are angry about 8 years under Republican control, first with Michael Powell, and then Kevin Martin. The feeling was that the FCC had become a tool of the companies it was supposed to regulate. Senator Rockefeller said, "Fix the agency or we'll fix it for you."
Of course, part of the problem, at least with broadcasting, is that the agency operates under a flawed law that was passed by the Congress. This was demonstrated during Powell's reign, when he attempted to respond to de-regulation provisions in the 96 Act, he was slapped by Congress, rather than having the flaw ion the law corrected. Kevin Martin largely ignored the problem, and focvused his attention on indecency.
Genachowski told Congress he'd continue enforcing indecency laws, and he would not support any attempt to reintroduce the Fairness Doctrine. The interesting comment had to do with media consolidations: "Excessive consolidation needs to be paid attention to, but we don't want to ignore changes in the marketplace." That reflects the general view held by a lot of Obama's telecom advisors who have been saying that consolidation in older, traditional media has been balanced by the growth of new media. Also, that new regulations in traditional media aren't needed because the lack of regulation is what has led to the growth in new media.
So while a lot of anti-consolidationists have been hoping for new radio regulations, or perhaps some re-regulation from a Democrat FCC, it sounds like they are more likely to focus their attention on other forms of communication under their jurisdiction.
Of course, part of the problem, at least with broadcasting, is that the agency operates under a flawed law that was passed by the Congress. This was demonstrated during Powell's reign, when he attempted to respond to de-regulation provisions in the 96 Act, he was slapped by Congress, rather than having the flaw ion the law corrected. Kevin Martin largely ignored the problem, and focvused his attention on indecency.
Genachowski told Congress he'd continue enforcing indecency laws, and he would not support any attempt to reintroduce the Fairness Doctrine. The interesting comment had to do with media consolidations: "Excessive consolidation needs to be paid attention to, but we don't want to ignore changes in the marketplace." That reflects the general view held by a lot of Obama's telecom advisors who have been saying that consolidation in older, traditional media has been balanced by the growth of new media. Also, that new regulations in traditional media aren't needed because the lack of regulation is what has led to the growth in new media.
So while a lot of anti-consolidationists have been hoping for new radio regulations, or perhaps some re-regulation from a Democrat FCC, it sounds like they are more likely to focus their attention on other forms of communication under their jurisdiction.