Radio and television broadcasters must obtain a license from the government because, according to American law, the public owns the airwaves . The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issues these licenses and is in charge of regulating the airwaves.
Why is the FCC still important?
The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
Why is broadcasting still regulated by the FCC?
FCC has been given broad power to regulate the broadcast media. Because communications frequencies are scarce and the airways are public by nature , the FCC has been given (and has taken) some broad powers in regulating the broadcast media.
Does the FCC regulate broadcasters?
This Manual is published by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the federal agency directed by Congress to regulate broadcasting .
Why can the FCC regulate broadcast media but not print media?
Why does the federal government regulate broadcast media more than print media? More people use technology rather than paper news. The federal government has more power to regulate the broadcast media than the print media largely because broadcast media must share public airwaves .
Why is broadcast TV regulated?
FCC content regulation has been justified
The FCC's so-called fairness doctrine required broadcasters, as a condition of monopoly over frequencies , to provide programming in the public interest, to discuss controversial issues, and to give time to opponents for prevailing views.
Is there a limit on TV commercials?
There are no rules regulating the amount of airtime a television station or network — cable or otherwise — devotes to commercials, according to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spokesperson.
What would happen without the FCC?
Federal law generally prohibits radio broadcasts without a license issued by the FCC . Anyone found operating a radio station without FCC authorization can be subject to a variety of enforcement actions, including seizure of equipment, fines and other civil and criminal penalties.
Who does the FCC answer to?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent Federal regulatory agency responsible directly to Congress .
What is the main function of the FCC What are five other functions of FCC today?
The FCC maintains jurisdiction over the areas of broadband access, fair competition, radio frequency use, media responsibility, public safety, and homeland security . The FCC was formed by the Communications Act of 1934 to replace the radio regulation functions of the Federal Radio Commission.
What is an FCC violation?
It is a violation of federal law to air obscene programming at any time . ... Congress has given the FCC the responsibility for administratively enforcing the law that governs these types of broadcasts. The FCC has authority to issue civil monetary penalties, revoke a license or deny a renewal application.
Why is TV so censored?
The government has the right to control or censor broadcasting on the grounds of national security and to prevent offense . ... This can be demonstrated after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks when broadcast outlets refrained from airing information they considered sensitive or those that aid terrorists.
The FCC, unsurprisingly, is primarily concerned with communication, but due to the laws that created it and grant it authority, it has almost no authority over what is being communicated .
Does the FCC violate the First Amendment?
The Communications Act prohibits the FCC from censoring broadcast material, in most cases, and from making any regulation that would interfere with freedom of speech. ... Finally, the courts have ruled that obscene material is not protected by the First Amendment and cannot be broadcast at any time.
Which type of media is the most highly regulated information source?
Broadcast media is the most tightly regulated among the information sources. The first and probably least transparent way that the government regulates broadcast media is through control of the airwaves, which is done through licensing.
Why is broadcasting more heavily regulated than print media?
The three most frequently invoked reasons for regulating broadcast media more strictly than print are the scarcity of the electromagnetic spectrum , the pervasiveness or intrusiveness of TV and radio, and the stronger potential for these media to reach children. The Federal Communications Commission was created in 1934.
