Trio Of U.S. Senate Assail FCC ‘Weaponization’
It's a word FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gómez used in early February to describe the actions of Chairman Brendan Carr's leadership and controversial actions taken in the days since he took over the agency: "weaponization." Now, three Democratic Senators are using the word as they condemn the Carr Commission.
Resolution To Prevent More Royalty Payments For Radio Returns
Congress is marking World Radio Day in a particularly meaningful way: a bipartisan group of 114 US House members has reintroduced the Local Radio Freedom Act, a resolution opposing the imposition of new performance fees, royalties, or taxes on local radio stations.
NAB Pitches Need For ‘Secure, Terrestrial’ GPS Alternative
As Sam Metheny, the NAB's Executive VP and Chief Technology Officer since 2014, contends, there's a critical issue facing our nation’s infrastructure that needs to be addressed: "the vulnerability of GPS and the need for a secure, terrestrial alternative."
FCC’s Simington Solidifies Legal Advisor Roles
Junior Republican FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington has appointed a Senior Legal Advisor and, concurrently, his Legal Advisor. Taking the top role is a former Attorney Advisor in the Competition Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau.
A Copyright Office ‘NOI’ On PRO Issues Surfaces
The U.S. Copyright Office has published a Notice of Inquiry on issues related to Performing Rights Organizations — an action, the office explains, that comes in response to a Congressional request to gather comments on the increase in the number of PROs in the United States and their licensing revenue distribution practices.
A S.F. Bay Area TV Station Pays Up For FCC Rule Fails
A non-commercial TV station serving the San Francisco DMA is once again in the news for a FCC faux pas. This time it will cost the licensee a $25,000 civil penalty, as it has signed a Consent Decree to resolve an "OPIF" issues/programs lists flub; incomplete responses in its Commission applications; and for a tardy license renewal filing.
CPB Gives Harvest Public Media Dollars To Seed Growth
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which conservative Republicans and the Trump Administration seeks to defund, has awarded a $1 million grant to a public media journalism collaboration covering agricultural and rural issues.
‘When Anti-Press Ascendancy Meets FCC Public Interest Regulation’
President Trump’s push to expand the Federal Communications Commission's authority over broadcast journalism "risks First Amendment conflicts and could backfire under future administrations." That's the viewpoint of the nonresident Senior Fellow for Technology Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
Carr’s First Agenda As FCC Chair Tackles TV Ad Volume
The Commission will explore "loud emergency alerts" — a life-saving tool — at its upcoming February Open Meeting while also considering a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would determine whether the FCC needs "additional actions" to make sure exceedingly loud TV commercials are stopped.
More FCC Staff Appointments, Including A GC, Come From Carr
New FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has signed off on four additional appointments at the Commission, including who will now serve in the all-important role of General Counsel.
Texas FM Licensee Gets Delinquent Reg Fee Warning
Pay up or sign off the air. That's the message being sent by the FCC to the owner of two Lone Star State FMs for failing to pay their annual regulatory fees to the agency.
MMTC To Present Black History Tribute to FCC
In honor of Black History Month, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) will celebrate past and present African Americans FCC Chairs and Commissioners across February. It is doing so via online honors of seven individuals who have made their respective marks inside the Beltway.
Chuck Todd To Exit NBC News
"I shared some career news on my podcast today. Enjoy!" That's how Chuck Todd confirmed on X that he's leaving NBC News and will no longer serve as the organization's Chief Political Analyst. Details were shared in a podcast featuring former Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron.
FCC’s Simington Selects A New Chief Of Staff
With the change in leadership at the FCC, Chairman Brendan Carr selected Erin Boone to serve as Acting Media Bureau Chief. Boone had been Chief of Staff to the junior Republican on the Commission, Nate Simington. Who's succeeding Boone in that role?
FCC Chairman Visits Asheville Area’s Helene-Hit Communities
The new head of the Federal Communications Communications is spending the last day of January in Western North Carolina, as his first official trip as the agency's leader takes him to several of the hardest-hit communities recovering from Hurricane Helene, which lashed the region exactly four months ago.