In September 2023 — as Anna Gómez settled into the fifth Commissioner seat — the radio industry wondered, “Where is radio on the FCC’s priority list?” Sure, the 2018 Quadrennial Review would have to be dealt with, but otherwise, it looked like broadband issues, net neutrality, and the new digital television broadcast standard (ATSC 3.0) would be Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s main focus.
Oh, the difference eight months can make.
With a long-awaited 3-2 Democratic majority, the FCC has been fast and furious in putting a full Commission to use to weigh in on radio issues old and new. They include support for AM radio as a conduit of national safety, the approval of FM geotargeting, radio ownership deregulation, the literal definition of “localism” in broadcasting (and how to reward it), foreign group ownership, the restructuring of one of America’s largest broadcasters, aggressive anti-piracy actions, the return of Form 395-B and stringent EEO monitoring, publicly questioning the Main Studio Rule elimination, and raising digital radio power.
When it feels like anything and everything could be placed on the table (and that’s not even mentioning the volatility a contentious, politically charged election throws into the mix), what’s next?
These topics and more will be addressed at the 2024 Hispanic Radio Conference’s annual Washington Update. Get to this panel early — this session will be packed with crucial info and coverage from Washington, D.C., delivered straight to San Antonio via a VIP panel of legal eagles, policy wonks, and broadcasters.
Moderating the panel is Francisco Montero, the esteemed Partner at Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, specializing in telecommunications, broadcasting, media, and technology. Panelists include Ben Downs, General Manager of a group of 11 radio stations in nearby Bryan-College Station, Tex.; New Mexico Broadcasting Association President Paula Maes; New Mexico radio group leader Matt Martinez; and Lazer Media President/CEO Alfredo Plascencia.
