Obama and McCain and the FCC

[SmokeRing]

I think I'd rather have a Democrat appointing the leadership of the FCC.

In McCain's defense, though, he's for campaign finance reform. And the FCC is mixed up in that problem. The biggest media corporations are some of the biggest contributors to both parties' national committees. By contributing to both parties, Big Media hedges its bets on the election's outcome; and it contributes to (and reinforces) a system that funnels hundreds of millions back into Big Media's coffers via political ads.

Still, the FCC needs to be cleaned OUT, and I think Obama would do more cleaning than McCain.

I guess we'll see.

 

[scottythecynic]

Watch for the Fairness Doctrine to make a rapid comeback.

I've never trusted the FCC to make a choice "for the people."

 

[SmokeRing]

I've never trusted the FCC to make a choice "for the people."

That's because neither party is all that interested in reform at the FCC level. They just want to grease the wheels of big business -- even when market conditions become more and more monopolistic.

Like I said, I think I'd rather have a Dem appointing FCC leadership, but I have no "Hope" for real reform.

 

[Carmine5]

The fact that Obama immediately set up an FCC transition team and is looking for a technology advisor shows that this is an administration who realizes that communications (both the technology and needs) is rapidly changing, unlike past administrations.

Because of that, I don't think Obama will simply give the FCC chairmanship to a faithful, but unqualified, friend as some kind of reward, like Bush did with Martin (at least I hope not). There's too much at stake.

And not all Dems are in agreement on bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. Commissioner Copps thought it was unlikely or if it did return it would not be in the form we know it as. The Fairness Doctrine was already struck down once as unconstitutional so it will have a difficult resurrection if there was an attempt to bring it back.

But I expect to see some major changes within FCC itself as well as its rules and policy with this administration, not all of them to the NAB's liking.

Whether the changes will ultimately be good or not, only time will tell.

C5

 

[TheBigA]

The fact that Obama immediately set up an FCC transition team and is looking for a technology advisor shows that this is an administration who realizes that communications (both the technology and needs) is rapidly changing, unlike past administrations.

Not really. This is how the transition of government works. All agencies in government have transition teams. The same thing happened 8 years ago.

The fact that Henry Rivera has been chosen is what is interesting. He was a Commissioner during the 80s when the FCC allowed radio to over-expand. His law firm supported Powell's move to remove the newspaper-broadcasting cross-ownership ban. He supports diversity in media ownership. It'll be interesting if he is actually appointed Chairman. If he is, I see Copps resigning immediately.

 

[Carmine5]

The fact that Obama immediately set up an FCC transition team and is looking for a technology advisor shows that this is an administration who realizes that communications (both the technology and needs) is rapidly changing, unlike past administrations.

Not really. This is how the transition of government works. All agencies in government have transition teams. The same thing happened 8 years ago.

The fact that Henry Rivera has been chosen is what is interesting. He was a Commissioner during the 80s when the FCC allowed radio to over-expand. His law firm supported Powell's move to remove the newspaper-broadcasting cross-ownership ban. He supports diversity in media ownership. It'll be interesting if he is actually appointed Chairman. If he is, I see Copps resigning immediately.

I disagree. I've seen a lot of presidents come and go (going back to Eisenhower) and I have never seen a president-elect who, almost within hours after his election, announce someone to head an FCC transition team.

That Obama would select some he personally knows and knows has experience with the FCC only stands to reason. Should Henry Rivera be appointed Chairman, I'm sure he will carry out whatever agenda Obama has regarding the future of broadcasting.

C5

 

[TheBigA]

I have never seen a president-elect who, almost within hours after his election, announce someone to head an FCC transition team.

He hasn't officially announced it yet. You can credit the internet for it getting leaked so quickly. But these decisions usually come very quickly. I know Clinton had some of his people set very quickly too.

That Obama would select some he personally knows and knows has experience with the FCC only stands to reason. Should Henry Rivera be appointed Chairman, I'm sure he will carry out whatever agenda Obama has regarding the future of broadcasting.

I haven't read anywhere that Obama knew Rivera personally. I don't know how they would have met. Maybe you can enlighten me about that. These transition team decisions usually come from the party more than the candidate.

Keep in mind that Rivera knows Kevin Martin extemely well...they both came from the same law firm, run by another former FCC Commissioner, Richard Wiley, who was Chairman during the Nixon & Ford years. This may be an example of bi-partisanship people are expecting from Obama.