Fcc Blog Posts
Who's Afraid of Rupert Murdoch?
The answer: the Federal Communications Commission and Congress.
While the media mogul was called before Parliament and hammered by regulators in the United Kingdom, few in the halls of U.S. power are willing to call News Corp. to account for the “culture of corruption” that has spread through its media empire.
On the Verge of a Local Radio Renaissance
One of the most common complaints about radio is that no matter where you go on the dial, it all sounds the same. You can take a small step today to change that — dramatically.
All Voters Deserve Access to the Information Hiding in Political Files
Last Friday, the Federal Communications Commission voted to put television broadcasters’ public and political files online to make them easier to access. This is a major victory.
But while all TV broadcasters will have to migrate the majority of their public records online this year, only stations in the top 50 media markets that are also affiliated with major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC) are required to digitize their political files this election season. All other TV stations can delay posting until 2014.
These exemptions mean that not a single Spanish-language station will be required to put its political file online this election year.
Political Files? Meet the Internet
On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that television stations must enter the 21st century and put the information in their public and political files online. Now anyone with an Internet connection will be able to access information about who is spending all that money on political advertising. The files will also allow us to see how stations are serving — or failing to serve — community needs.
Television Stations Don't Like Television Cameras
What happens when a group of broadcast journalism students set out to inspect the public files at their local television stations?
Three out of four stations refuse to let their cameras in.
“Cleveland television stations,” one student said, “don’t like television cameras.”
Let the Sun Shine In
Earlier this month, we issued a challenge to our members. We asked them to take a day off from work, visit their local television stations and … rifle through their filing cabinets.
It’s not the most glamorous gig, but over 100 people all over the country came forward to volunteer. The public files our television stations are required to maintain can give us insights into the inner workings of the political ad machine. They can also help us understand how each media outlet serves — or fails to serve — its community.
Making Community Radio a Reality
This is the story of what happens after a bill becomes a law.
In this case it is the story of the Local Community Radio Act. Or as we like to call it, “The Little Bill That Could (Even When It Seemed Like It Couldn’t).”
Happy Sunshine Week!
Welcome to Sunshine Week — a time to stand up for the importance of open government and freedom of information. And what better time than the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, when winter shadows are receding and the sun begins to usher in new life.
But as we all know, the metaphor is aspirational. In reality, darkness still obscures information that the public needs to participate fully in our democracy. That’s why, in honor of Sunshine Week, Free Press volunteers all over the country will be shining their own lights on their local media outlets. Starting today and continuing all week long, our volunteers will be paying visits to their local TV stations to inspect their public files.
Broken Promises
Actions speak louder than words.
We see this when our children promise to share — and then hoard their Halloween candy, refusing their angelic parents even the smallest Snickers. And this dynamic really hits home when leaders deliver principled speeches — and then neglect to follow through on their promises.
In 2008, President Obama spoke out against media consolidation and for more diverse ownership of radio and television stations. "Rules promoting the public interest and diversity in media ownership," he said, "are too important for the FCC to accept an agenda supported by the Washington special interests."
Distortions, Manipulations and Lies: Oh My!
It might be hard to believe, but sometimes political ads are chock full of distortions, manipulations and boldfaced lies.
But every once in a while a broadcaster shows some muscle and pulls a dishonest ad.
That’s what happened last fall when an anti-collective bargaining measure was on the ballot in Ohio. Marlene Quinn, whose great-granddaughter had nearly perished in a fire, appeared in an ad produced by pro-labor group We Are Ohio. “If not for the firefighters, we wouldn’t have our Zoey today,” Quinn said in the ad. “That’s why it is so important to vote no on Issue 2. Issue 2 makes it illegal to negotiate for enough firefighters to do their job.”
Change the Channels
Check out the interactive map to see consolidating newsrooms near you.
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