The Radio Industry, the President, and the FCC

[SmokeRing]

So how many of us have given much thought to how the radio biz might be affected by the policies of the remaining candidates? G.H.W. Bush gave us the Telecommunications Act of 1992. Bill Clinton rubber stamped the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

So I assume with Republicans and Hillary, we'll get telecommunications laws written by their benefactors who own and run the Corporate Media.

But where does Obama stand? According to a column from the Seattle Times:

"...Barack Obama has inspired the most confidence. He favors network neutrality and is for a dispersed press. He has sponsored a bill to try and force the FCC to step away from its lifting of the cross-ownership ban. Obama also said he will appoint [FCC] commissioners who are in line with his views."

Direct Link:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/29/7372/

Maybe other issues are more important to you. But if you're looking for the candidate who might actually start the process of wrestling control of the 4th Estate away from Corporate America, then Obama is your candidate.

 

[lbates]

McCain has also been against consolidation and more acquisitions. He has been a proponent of a new fairness doctrine as well.

 

[SmokeRing]

Yes, to McCain's credit, he voted against the Telecommunications Act of 1996:
http://www.wave-guide.org/library/tca_hist.html

 

[Slambang]

Ive read both candidates stance on the issue, im tilting more towards obama, as he appears to support a FCC that actually regulates business, not allows it to be come a monopoly. Sure, it wont make him a fan of the fat cat owners, but its the right thing to do.

 

[TheRover]

Yes, to McCain's credit, he voted against the Telecommunications Act of 1996:
http://www.wave-guide.org/library/tca_hist.html

And...Also to Sen. McCain's credit, he was the Sponsor of S. 3457 [109th]: CHOICE Act in 2006.

"A bill to provide a national franchise and other regulatory relief to video service providers who offer a-la-carte programming for cable television, and for other purposes."

This was pro-consumer anit-big business proposed legislation that would allow consumers to choose a-la-carte what channels they did, ---and did not--- want to subsidize through cable fees. This bill did not make it out "Committee".

THe FCC has come forth with data that now says that a-la-carte is a viable platform for cable companies to earn profits from. A-la-carte is already in use in Europe and Asia. It will work here in the US as well.

Power To The Consumers !

McCAIN COMMENDS FCC FOR TAKING STEPS TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR CABLE TELEVISION BILL

 

[arnoldevns]

Neither candidate would be good for the broadcasting industry. Of the two, McCain is marginally better. He seems to be more free-market oriented. I am very much against a fairness doctrine, but I don't believe either candidate would be able to get one passed. Even if they did, it would be tied up in court for years before it was enforced.

 

[lbates]

McCain also sponsored a bill allowing satelite dishes to appear on roof tops etc regardless of inane home owners assoc rules,plus getting local coverage on the dish. I am for the fairness doctrine, both sides need to be heard ,equally, and fairly,let a listener decide not the host.

 

[TheRover]

McCain also sponsored a bill allowing satelite dishes to appear on roof tops etc regardless of inane home owners assoc rules,plus getting local coverage on the dish. I am for the fairness doctrine, both sides need to be heard ,equally, and fairly,let a listener decide not the host.

There's more than 2 sides. You might have heard of it... Left, Right, and the Middle.

All sides are equally and fairly heard.... On their Websites and their YouTube Sites.... ;D

 

[SmokeRing]

Neither candidate would be good for the broadcasting industry. Of the two, McCain is marginally better. He seems to be more free-market oriented.

Depends on what you mean by free market. The broadcast spectrum is a finite resource. It places our capitalistic system in the odd position of needing to limit multi- or cross-ownership of stations in order to insure more robust competition in the industry.

Hillary is corporately bought and paid for. McCain less so. And Obama least so.

I wouldn't expect any of the above to provide the kind of ownership rules reform the radio industry desperately needs. But I think we'd benefit most from an Obama appointed majority at the FCC.