Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the last week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. Because of the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year upholding the Commission’s 2017 relaxation of certain media ownership rules, the… Continue Reading…
Reports that Facebook Will End Policy of Not Censoring Politician’s Posts – How Other Communications Platforms are Regulated on Political Speech
According to press reports (see this story in Verge and this one in the Washington Post), Facebook will end its policy of not subjecting posts by elected officials to the same level of scrutiny by its Oversight Board that it applies to other users of its platform. Facebook’s announced policy has been that the newsworthiness… Continue Reading…
Low Power FM Back In Front of FCC – Another Proposal to Raise Power and Word of a New Filing Window
Low Power FM is back in the news this week. As we noted a week ago in our summary of FCC regulatory actions, a Petition for Rulemaking has been filed by REC Networks asking that the maximum authorized power for LPFM stations be raised from 100 to 250 watts. The hope among LPFM advocates is… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: May 22, 2021 to May 28, 2021
Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the last week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. New rules went into effect on May 24 that are designed to give broadcast TV stations greater flexibility in the… Continue Reading…
June Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters: License Renewal and EEO Filings, Comments and Replies, Auction Upfront Payments, Streaming Rates Announcement, and More
As the calendar flips to June, pandemic restrictions across the country continue to loosen, and we inch closer to summer. Broadcasters could be forgiven for not having regulatory dates and deadlines on the top of their minds. There are, however, many important dates and deadlines to keep track of during June – we provide details… Continue Reading…
Copyright Royalty Board Decision on Webcasting Royalties Expected by June 14 – What Will the Streaming Rates for 2021-2025 Be?
The Copyright Royalty Board decision on the rates to be paid in the next 5 years by webcasters, including broadcasters who simulcast their programming on the internet, to SoundExchange for the digital public performance of sound recordings is supposed to be released by June 14. These royalties are collected by SoundExchange from noninteractive webcasters (see… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: May 15, 2021 to May 21, 2021
Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the last week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. The FCC asked for public comment on a proposal to increase from 100 to 250 watts the maximum power allowed… Continue Reading…
FCC Extends Comment Dates on CVAA – Inquiry About Whether There is a Need to Update Video Programming and Other Accessibility Rules
Under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (commonly called the CVAA), the FCC has adopted many rules designed to enhance accessibility to broadcast communications, particularly those provided by television broadcasters. In a recent Public Notice, the FCC asked for comments as to how the implementation of the CVAA has worked in… Continue Reading…
Does Local News Need Government Assistance to Survive – Legislation Proposed to Set Up Commission to Study the Impact of Changes in Local Media on Local Communities
There can be no doubt that local newspapers have been significantly impacted over the last two decades by the ascent of the Internet. And, as we have written before (see, for instance, our article here), digital media has also had a significant impact on the local revenues of broadcasters, who also have traditionally specialized in… Continue Reading…
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: May 8, 2021 to May 14, 2021
Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the last week, with links to where you can go to find more information as to how these actions may affect your operations. In a speech to the Media Institute, FCC Commissioner Starks spoke of the importance of diversity in media ownership and… Continue Reading…
Regulation of Online Platforms and the Effect on Advertising – Including Section 230 Reforms
Next week, I will be discussing regulatory issues for media companies with Eriq Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter (who covers legal issues on their must-read THR, Esq site) in a “Candid Conversation” hosted by Matrix Solutions (more information here, including a registration link). The sponsor of this conversation consults on media advertising matters, so the… Continue Reading…
The First Amendment’s Role in Broadcast and Online Regulation
Everyone knows that a fundamental principle of American democracy is the First Amendment – guaranteeing many freedoms to US citizens including freedom of the press and freedom of speech. It is one of those concepts that underlies our society, but is often mentioned only in passing, and rarely considered in practice. Few people – even… Continue Reading…
