Washington Beat

The fellowship will fund enrollment for 10 fellows in the First Time Manager Series. The deadline to apply for the fellowship is December 18 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Fellows will be selected through a competitive application process

A coalition of organizations representing news, sports and entertainment content creators  have written to the House Financial Services Committee expressing their collective support for legislation that would help businesses secure pandemic risk insurance. This, they argue, would mitigate the risks associated with producing popular events and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help meet the increasing demand for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed services, the FCC at its November Open Meeting on Wednesday adopted new rules that "modernizes" the 5.9 GHz band. As the Commission sees it, the new regulations will lead to better automotive security, while bringing better wireless internet services to Americans.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the FCC, even if in an interim role, has resurfaced as one of four individuals that could have a significant influence on the Commission under the incoming Biden administration.

Who knew that there's a KIQQ today? The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council certainly does. It's getting an AM with those call letters in a donation being made by a California-based broadcast company.

In the view of Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, it will be "very hard' for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to move forward with a rule change on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act before Inauguration Day, and Pai's anticipated passing of the torch to a new Chair.

With the election of Joe Biden all but certain despite White House efforts to validate its claims of ballot fraud, Ajit Pai's tenure as FCC Chairman will likely conclude in roughly eight weeks. Daniel Lyons, an AEI visiting fellow, looks back on the Pai Commission and how his leadership has shaped the future of tech policy.

It's unwise to file a license renewal application after it is due to the FCC. Two radio station owners now know just for themselves what the penalty may be for their respective tardiness.

"While Congress should continue to pursue legislative reform, the next FCC Chair can immediately improve transparency and public debate on pending agency actions by adding a second monthly meeting of the FCC Commissioners." That's the view of a man who served as Chief of Staff to Reed Hundt during his time as FCC Chairman in the late 1990s.

In a public notice, the FCC has issued a friendly reminder that Lowest Unit Charges (commonly known as lowest unit rates) do not apply to post-election political ads — for instance, ads that urge ballots to be counted in any particular manner. There's one important caveat, however. Media properties in Georgia take heed, noted attorney David Oxenford notes.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is again snubbing the wishes of the White House by refusing to "zero out" funding for non-commercial secular broadcast media stations serving consumers across the U.S. The Committee is recommending hundreds of millions of dollars be earmarked for public media, and also urged Congress to move forward with a House action approved in July.

On September 24, RBR+TVBR first reported on the biggest media merger seen in ages: an agreement that sees The E.W. Scripps Co. buy ION Media — the broadcast media network with roots in the Paxson Communications operation — for $2.65 billion. The FCC is now seeking public input on whether or not the proposed deal serves the public interest.

The benefits a restoration by Congress of the minority tax certificate would bring to increasing the percentage of broadcast TV and/or radio station owners who are either women or people of color is a top topic in 2020. A FCC Symposium session held Friday shared its potential strengths by putting a spotlight on one who benefited from it the first time around.

With FCC Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey welcoming attendees, a day-long virtual Access to Capital Symposium kicked off with a series of sessions devoted to insight and observations on how women and people of color seeking to purchase a broadcast media property can best secure funding.

As most licensees know, a station's failure to timely file a license renewal application with the FCC isn't a great idea. Now, the owner of a Mississippi FM better understands the rules. It's just received a proposed fine for its delinquency.