chapter 11 electronic media regulation

titanic disaster prompted congress to create this act. this was the first statue directly regulating commercial radio. It gave the US secretary of commerce the power to grant radio station licenses, stipulating what frequency each would use. However, this law didn't give the secretary power to refuse a license or to regulate radio in any substantial way.

this law established the Federal Radio Commission (FRC). Included several provisions still in effect today; the act specifically said the FRC couldnt censor radio content. It also said the public, not station licensees, owned the spectrum. Finally, the law required the FRC to make decisions based on public interest, convenience and necessity. States couldn't make their own broadcasting laws. However, it didn't work in the long run bc radio needed consistent oversight and in addition to the FRC, a number of federal agencies had authority over various parts of the radio industry. Congress replaced this with the Communications Act of 1934

a federal agency charged with issuing or denying radio licenses and assigning frequencies to prevent stations from interfering with one another. Has the power to regulate stations as necessary to allow radio development.

Created to resolve the problems from the radio act of 1927. Although often amended, this law is still in place, giving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to regulate over-the-air radio and television. States still may not regulate broadcasting. Allows the commission to oversee long-distance telephone companies and other industries providing interstate communication services by wire.

Created by the Communications Act of 1934. An independent US government agency, directly responsible to Congress, charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. Its jurisdiction covers all 50 states, DC and US possessions. In 1984, congress gave FCC the ability to regulate cable television. Also has jurisdiction over direct broadcast satellites. The Internet is largely unregulated by this agency. Congress funds this.

The US president selects five commissioners, who are appointed to five-year terms. The president also designates one of the commissioners to be FCC chair. The US senate must approve people nominated to be commissioners, including the chair. No more than 3 commissioners may be from the same political party at one time.

the FCC operates under this act. This is a law telling federal agencies how they may propose and adopt regulations and giving federal courts power to rule on challenges to those decisions.

a notice issued by the FCC announcing that the commission is considering changing certain of its regulations or adopting new rules. people who are affected by this can submit comments to the commission about it.

the FCC staff considers all the submissions and comments about the notice of proposed rule making and drafts this. They discuss the draft, suggest changes, and vote on a final version in a public meeting. Members of the public may ask the FCC to reconsider this.

a common FCC punishment for noncompliance with a rule. Issuing a fine.