Washington Beat

“100 Years of Broadcast News: Challenges Met, Challenges Anew” will see Hubbard Radio CEO Ginny Morris and Beasley Media Group Chief Communications Officer Heidi Raphael team up for the fete -- a NAB Show New York main stage session scheduled for Wednesday at 2pm Eastern.

What is the impact of U.S. Hispanics on the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in addition to down-ballot races of considerable importance? This was the focal point of a Thursday webinar presented by the Culture Marketing Council, the voice of Hispanic marketing.

In May 2015, the FCC's then-Chairman, Tom Wheeler, indicated that the Commission would be moving out of The Portals. As of today, that's now official, as an era in Southwest Washington comes to an end.

It's likely he doesn't wear a Mumford Phys. Ed. Dept. T-shirt while on the job. But, there's a man named Axel who is leading the quest to quash pirate radio operations, and support the restoration of communications after a disaster. He's just been appointed Field Director of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau.

The House Subcommittee On Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law is accusing four of the "GAFAN" members of antitrust violations, as their digital platforms offer an unfair advantage over other forms of communication -- including radio and TV.

With Friday's news that the Supreme Court will hear the FCC's appeal of a lower court's remand of its cross-ownership rule rewrite, the fate of media in the U.S. hangs in the balance. Many on Capitol Hill have weighed in with their thoughts. The latest to do so: the retiring Republican ranking member and ex-Chairman of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee.

The Commission has adopted procedural changes to administrative hearings under the Communications Act that supplement the FCC's current Administrative Law Judge referral process and, in the eyes of the Republican majority, "promote more efficient resolution of hearings."

A November 2017 FCC Order put deregulatory rule changes for broadcast media in effect. That was stopped on Sept. 23, 2019 with the Third Circuit ruling that remanded these rule changes. Should the Supreme Court reverse the lower court's ruling, what rule changes will go into effect? Here's a review of what's at stake for broadcast media.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has confirmed the departure of the group's Staff Director for a role in the private sector.

The FCC on Friday officially welcomed is new Chief Economist. It selected an individual who is presently an adjunct Professor Emeritus at University of California-Berkeley.

The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday authorized subpoenas to hear testimony on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act from the Chief Executive Officers of Google, Facebook, and Twitter. The Republican Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet had something to say.

Some significant deadlines are Thursday, Oct. 1 -- so you better read this to make sure you're not going to be staying up all night to resolve any potential issues! One item involves radio license renewal applications, and the other is tied to must-carry/retrans consent elections. Our friends at Fletcher Heald & Hildreth prepared a great checklist we're pleased to share.

For candidates seeking to reach the right voter, there’s now a way to match electorate profiles based on their consumption preferences. Thanks to programmatic advertising platforms, media buyers can target groups based on consumer preferences. And, this extends to declared political party affiliation.

The complexion of the FCC under a continuation of President Trump or a transition to Joe Biden has already been the subject of prognostications by D.C. insiders. Now, Kagan, the research division within S&P Global Market Intelligence, has offered its takes on what the FCC could look like following Trump's first term -- or only term.

The White House and strict constitutionalist Mike O'Rielly, the FCC Commissioner, don't see eye to eye on Section 230 reform. Hence, O'Rielly is exiting at the end of his term on January 23, 2021. But, what does the AEI -- selected by the Trump administration to transition the FCC from the Obama administration -- have to say about the internet free speech statute?