Washington Beat

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr shared his appointments for Chair and Vice Chair of the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WAC), chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide to the FCC public views and recommendations in preparation for the next World Radiocommunication Conference.

On Tuesday, the world lost an iconic civil and human rights icon who championed justice, equality, diversity, inclusion, and peace. The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) shared a statement expressing its deepest sympathies to Jackson’s family, staff, and friends.

Four items are on the agenda for the FCC's February Open Meeting on Wednesday morning, and among them is a Media Bureau item of particular interest to noncommercial radio broadcast station operators — religious and secular in nature.

It was established in November through one of the final Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants ahead of its wind-down due to the conclusion of federal funding to the organization that provides dollars to NPR and PBS Member stations. Now, it has unveiled its inaugural Board of Trustees.

The LPTV Broadcasters Association is planning a webinar for broadcasters, media investors, spectrum buyers, communications professionals, and those interested in acquiring or understanding U.S. television spectrum. Advisors interested in the future of broadcast, data distribution, and 5G-enabled services are also welcome.

The Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which maintains oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, will participate as a keynote speaker at America’s Communications Association’s (ACA Connects) annual Summit.

The Assistant Chief of the FCC Media Bureau's Audio Division is moving forward on delegated authority with the substitution of the FM channel or class for five existing vacant MHz-band allotments located in various communities in Alabama, California and Texas.

The office within the Federal Communications Commission charged with administration and management of the agency is seeing a change in leadership. That's because Mark Stephens has retired, leading Chairman Brendan Carr to praise him for his "decades of outstanding service."

Thirty years later, there is still much to learn from our experiences with the Telecommunications Act of 1996. That is the focus of an AEI event on Tuesday morning at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., that will feature former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt.

The FCC Commissioner is standing by the Commission's push to adopt sweeping media ownership reforms, echoing the comments of the NAB and many of its broadcast industry members that outdated regulations prevent stations from competing for ad revenue needed to reinvest in local communities.

From the start of 2001 through May 2015, she was a key leader within the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC, rising to Chief in July 2012. Since October 2015, she had been associated with law firm HWG LLP, where she became Partner. Now, many across the National Capital Region are mourning the loss of Julie Veach.

On January 22, the FCC released a public notice that could have easily gone unnoticed, as it dealt mainly with the Robocall Mitigation Database Report and Order.  One broker of radio stations took note of one provision of the FCC rule change, which took effect Thursday, and has a warning for all licensees.

The VP of Sales at NTP Events who previously served as VP of Business Development at ASIS International has been appointed Sr. VP of Sales Strategy and Enablement for Global Connections and Events at the National Association of Broadcasters.

The Communications Forum Luncheon Series, presented by The Media Institute, will kick off its 2026 schedule of gatherings in one month with an appearance from the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The final fiscal year 2026 "minibus" package has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, and while it does restore any of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting dollars that were rescinded in 2025, it does put dollars toward noncommercial broadcast media's Next Generation Warning System (NGWS).