Broadcasters got an inside look last month at how the new FCC plans on doing business – an approach that is markedly different from that of former Chairman Kevin Martin.
Speaking at the NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, pledged that the new FCC will be “more efficient and participatory.”
Clyburn said that the bureaus within the commission will have a “more robust role” in policymaking, suggesting that the days of secretive, top-down policy proposals (that were Martin’s signature) are over.
Sherrese Smith, media legal advisor to new Chairman Julius Genachowski, echoed Clyburn’s statements, saying they’re taking a “common sense approach” to policymaking where bureau chiefs are the “front line” for policy considerations.
She said the commissioners’ legal advisors are meeting weekly to discuss issues and listen to various perspectives in an effort to maintain an open dialogue on policy issues.
Bill Freedman, acting media legal advisor to Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, a Republican from Texas, said that the new system of openness and collegiality should lead to faster, appropriate decisions.
Rick Kaplan, Commissioner Clyburn’s media legal advisory, affirmed Freedman and Smith’s statements, saying they will rely heavily on bureau chiefs but are open to meeting with regulates and the general public.
“We’re paid to make decisions, not put them off,” said newly appointed Mass Media Bureau Chief William Lake.
Lake indicated the bureau will begin acting on some long-pending proceedings so broadcasters can move forward.
Caption: TAB's Ann Arnold with Commissioner Attwell Baker; Photo by Ben Downs
AM on FM Translators
The new rules took effect Oct. 1.
Enforcement Bureau Chief Peter Doyle said there are 250 AM stations using FM translators so far, but that future filings depend on spectrum supply and broadcaster demand.
Freedman suggested the FM translator cap may be reviewed, but that the issue is “ripe for discussion.”
FM Tuners
Freedman said there is a role for the FCC to promote FM radio tuners on mobile devices, but that the FCC’s approach will likely be more to “facilitate, support and encourage,” than to mandate.
LPFM
Doyle said there are 810 LPFM licenses now and that a new window for more applications will be opening soon.
In a Congressional hearing the week before the NAB Radio Show, each FCC commissioner expressed support for removing the third-adjacent channel protections currently in law.
HD Power Boost
Freedman noted that 1,928 radio stations now offer HD signals and said a power increase is one way to promote and encourage HD Radio adoption.
“We’ll do it as soon as we can,” he pledged.
Localism
“Content regulation is not necessarily something we want to get into,” Smith said, adding that they want data and information, not just anecdotes, as they move forward on the localism proceedings left pending since last year.
Kaplan agreed, saying data is key and will be used in setting goals and benchmarks for localism, rather than focusing on punitive actions or excessive regulation.
Freedman concurred with his counterparts, saying that “even in the darkest days of ascertainment the FCC never penalized a station for” failing to meet the community interest standard.
