Washington Beat

The distant retransmission of radio broadcast signals by cable TV systems remains available on some U.S. MVPDs. Now, the Copyright Royalty Board is seeking comment on a proposed royalty rates and terms settlement that also covers the distant retransmission of broadcast TV signals.

A group of bipartisan U.S. Senators has reintroduced legislation in the upper body of Congress designed to address "the shortage" of trained workers necessary to fill next-generation jobs in the telecommunications industry in communities throughout the country.

Key research areas include spectrum flexibility and agility, working towards near real-time spectrum awareness, and improved spectrum efficiency and effectiveness through secure and autonomous spectrum decision-making. The first key goal will be establishing the U.S.’s first National Center for Wireless Spectrum Research.

The FCC has released what it's calling the "anticipated agenda" for the next virtual meeting of its Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE). The online gathering is scheduled for February 11, and the meeting will be available to the public via the Internet.

The committee will consist of senior-level broadcasters who are women and people of color, and may include current NAB and NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) board members who are committed to advancing DEI issues in broadcasting.

The newest FCC Commissioner has named his wireless advisor and chief of staff while also selecting a media advisor, confidential assistant and staff assistant. At the same time, he's already saying farewell to two individuals who helped him set up his office.

"Congress has given the FCC its marching orders, and we are not wasting time." Those are the words of acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who released on Tuesday the agenda for the Commission's February Open Meeting. It will be her first heading the agency.

Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has wasted no time in making the Commission her own, until a permanent head to replace Ajit Pai is nominated by the Biden Administration. On Monday, Rosenworcel unveiled a slew of staff appointments and special designations to her office.

The General Counsel of the FCC is stepping down. While he has agreed to continue to serve in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has appointed his acting successor. Rosenworcel also made some moves in the wireless arm of the Commission.

During the meeting, the Energy and Commerce Committee will adopt the Committee Rules and its six standing subcommittees, as well as announce subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and members.

House  Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) has released the names of the Republican subcommittee leaders and subcommittee rosters for the 117th Congress. 

A resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives last night by Rep. Cheri Bustos and 42 House Members thanking journalists for their reporting during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

Ajit Pai's goodbyes came just hours after the Commission released a parting shot aimed at departing President Donald Trump: It denied a request to stay its unanimous decision to authorize Ligado Networks to deploy a low-power terrestrial national network using portions of its licensed spectrum.

Four years ago, the AEI played a key role in establishing a policy and regulatory path for an FCC under Republican Party control, led by Chairman Ajit Pai. As AEI visiting scholar Mark Jamison looks back on the Commission's Trump-era actions, he believes Pai will be remembered "as one of the most consequential Federal Communications Commission chairmen in history."

There's been chatter of late that those who views have been prevented from dissemination via social media can always turn to another media to get their point across to the American public. In fact, that media is perhaps the "first" social media -- radio. Only, it's not open for amateur or private use without a license.