Washington Beat

Since the end of May, the FCC's lone Democratic Commissionerhas traveled to California to meet with television studio executives, labor unions in the entertainment sector, and companies in the space industry. The purpose of these visits by Anna M. Gomez? To learn first hand of broadcasters' challenges.

The updated framework, adopted on a 3-2 vote in June 2024 and partially effective since August 15, requires radio and television licensees to verify whether airtime lessees are acting on behalf of a foreign governmental entity and to disclose that relationship at the time of broadcast.

It's hurricane season, and the FCC is helping broadcasters and the general public prepare by hosting a Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable, led by its Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, in early July.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has given a grant to the licensee of the NPR Member station serving Asheville, N.C., to further its reporting efforts on local and regional recovery efforts from last autumn's devastating floods associated with Hurricane Helene.

In its proposed budget plan for Fiscal Year 2026, the FCC hinted that regulatory costs for broadcasters will likely remain stable. Now, as the fee-setting process begins, broadcasters have their chance to speak up if they want lowered fees for the third year in a row.

U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss on Sunday (6/8) ruled that the independence of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) merits the retention of its board members, sending a message to the Trump Administration that it cannot make changes to the CPB board without going through proper procedures.

Under the new order issued by Media Bureau Acting Chief Erin Boone and Office of the Managing Director head Mark Stephens, both stations’ licenses and renewal applications have been returned to pending status. The FCC will also update its internal and public databases to reflect the reinstatement.

Even with this boost in total funding, the Commission is planning to reduce its regulatory collection workforce to 1,404 full-time equivalents (FTEs), down from 1,478 in FY 2025, marking the lowest staffing levels in the agency’s modern history.

While Arthur Belendiuk is largely known for his work as an attorney in Washington, D.C., he's also been the 50/50 equity holder in a broadcast licensee. That's about to change, as paperwork filed at the FCC for its approval will see him sell all of his shares to his 50/50 partner in Impact Radio.

As controversy around AI legislation arises from President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill," the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday morning focused on how artificial intelligence is reshaping communications.

The head of the group representing the interest of the nation's noncommercial broadcast TV stations Inside the Beltway has derided the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal presented by the Trump Administration that eliminates all federal funding for these over-the-air FCC-licensed facilities.

The Bronx is New York City's latest borough to draw the attention of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, which says an unlicensed FM radio station has been operating there on 91.3 MHz. With no license issued and no cooperation from the individuals behind the broadcasts, the FCC is now putting the pressure on the property owners.

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez will bring her First Amendment Tour to Los Angeles next week, marking the campaign’s first stop outside Washington as she prepares to become the ranking - and only - Democrat on the Commission.

In a unanimous vote Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission advanced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to establish a formal process for identifying communications license holders under the control of foreign adversaries. The move is part of a broader push by the Commission to enhance national security protections.

A federal appeals court has all but squashed a Biden-era effort to allow the FCC to reinstate "Form 395-B," a document advocates said would assist in increasing employment in broadcast media of women and minorities but opponents claimed would improperly disclose detailed employee data.