Not every radio broadcasting company is falling in lock-step with the NAB and Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly on a proposed relaxation of its local ownership rules. In contrast, broadcast TV companies have largely spoken in favor of abolishing the “top-four restriction” in the smallest of DMAs.
Any changes, regardless of how dramatic they are, will likely come under the close scrutiny of two House members who have emerged as foes of not only the Trump Administration, but also the Pai Commission.
A May 15 hearing could prove to be a pivotal moment for the FCC and its “rule modernization” efforts, and for Ajit Pai.
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) announced Wednesday that the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold an FCC oversight hearing at 10am on Wednesday, May 15.
All five FCC Commissioners are being asked to attend the hearing, which takes the name, “Accountability and Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.”
Pallone and Doyle have already set the tone of the session, which could yield some testy responses from not only Pai but also O’Rielly — the chief cheerleader behind radio industry deregulation — and Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has largely focused his efforts on 5G and broadband issues.
In a joint comment, Pallone and Doyle said, “Congress charged the FCC with regulating the communications sector to promote the public interest, competition, public safety, and protect consumers. Unfortunately, the current FCC has too often sided with corporate interests over the needs of the American people.”
Further, the Democrats said, “The Committee will examine past FCC decisions that have harmed consumers and question the Commissioners about proposals before the FCC that raise serious public interest and policy concerns.”
Expect lots of questions about the removal of Title II classification of broadband, commonly known as “Net Neutrality.”
It is unclear as to how much of the hearing will focus on the 2018 Quadrennial Review of FCC Ownership Rules.
Reply Comments are due May 29.
Information for this hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, testimony, and a live webcast, will be posted HERE as they become available.
