NERW: The FCC in Authoritarian Times

[cc333]

Or Year One of Trump 3.0

I can't cite any sources as yet either, but i have heard of "rumors" to that effect.

Besides, with what he's been doing so far, we have to consider that things that up to now were considered virtually impossible are, in fact, possible, and prepare accordingly.

This thread is going off the rails away from focusing on the FCC... Steer it back please

I agree, but the incendiary nature of this topic in general seems to make that almost impossible, unfortunately.

I'll make an attempt to try, but it feels almost like trying to push a heavy rock up a hill with a piece of string: what, if any actions will be taken about law abiding Part 15 broadcasters? Will they be lumped in with pirates and dealt with accordingly, or will they be left alone? Nobody seems to have mentioned anything about that, so far.

c

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

The degree to which rural economies depend upon government support is something not widely understood outside those areas.

Indeed. Even at a local level, the spiraling effects of what’s happening that may not be broadcast related at its core has the potential to cause the domino effect that pushes operators further and further toward the edge of sustainability, if not over it.

Obviously, a full-on national recession would be potentially catastrophic for an industry that didn’t fully recover from the last one.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

what, if any actions will be taken about law abiding Part 15 broadcasters? Will they be lumped in with pirates and dealt with accordingly, or will they be left alone? Nobody seems to have mentioned anything about that, so far.

This is what a commission should be focused on, not that one topic specifically, but the more, as the article says, arcane kinds of things. The choice to pursue coercing the larger players into submission would seem to push the “smaller” work off to the side.

But if there are questions about larger outlets speculating about a potential third term, those abound in a simple Google search. It’s actually quite simple to find.

 

[TheBigA]

I see that Musk thinks 60 Minutes producers should get jail...

Maybe in South Africa. But in the US there is no jail time for news deception. Maybe a fine.

The FCC is not in a position to sentence anyone to jail. If that ever happens, we are in a lot of trouble.

The fact that this is being discussed while there's a lawsuit going on is another problem. One or the other. Not both.

 

[cc333]

This is what a commission should be focused on, not that one topic specifically, but the more, as the article says, arcane kinds of things. The choice to pursue coercing the larger players into submission would seem to push the “smaller” work off to the side.

i agree.

However, with DOGE wreaking havoc on the federal civil service, it seems that the manpower necessary to pursue those kinds of small things will be lacking.

Of course, the FCC has been spared this particular problem. So far....

c

 

[TheBigA]

Of course, the FCC has been spared this particular problem. So far....

They've actually been on a hiring spree.

 

[vw86]

Links or citations, please. Where did you see those articles?

Stories like that are generally “click bait” because they are not based on any real facts.

Rep. Ogles Proposes Amending the 22nd Amendment to Allow Trump to Serve a Third Term

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Andy Ogles introduced a House Joint Resolution to amend the Constitution of the United States to allow a President to be elected for up to but no more than three terms. The language of the proposed amendment reads as follows:

ogles.house.gov

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

i agree.

However, with DOGE wreaking havoc on the federal civil service, it seems that the manpower necessary to pursue those kinds of small things will be lacking.

Of course, the FCC has been spared this particular problem. So far....

c

Absolutely fair. Many agencies will not have adequate staffing; it’s reasonable to question of and when the doge hackers make their way to the FCC if the same result will follow. To have been hired recently really doesn’t mean anything as the mass firings of every probationary employee demonstrates. If someone is willing to gut the air traffic system, sooner or later they’re going to come for other agencies.

 

[fybush]

Something that hasn't always been clear about these "probationary" employees being cut loose: they're not all new employees. Many are "probationary" because they are highly experienced workers who are less than a year into a new promotion with a new title. So it's a lot of institutional knowledge being pushed out the door without any real oversight or process.