Abstract This paper explains what the new regulations of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) are. The paper shows how the FCC has recently authorized novel mergers amid media corporations and that adversaries of the novel set of laws are expecting Congress to build no less than a temporary halt for such contracts and set of laws.
Contents
Introduction
Relationship and Authority between the FCC and Congress
Against the FCC rules
For the FCC Rules
Conclusion
From the Paper "The novel FCC regulations intimidate Congress for the reason that they might add to the financial resources, as well as manpower that media corporations can spend in dealing with the news, counting the mischief of politicians, and they would reduce the aptitude of politicians to have an effect on news reporting. This is why the FCC sketched condemnation from such ideologically varied lawmakers as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.). Huge, varied media companies could more powerfully analyze members of Congress, and could in addition offer more incisive reporting of influential special interest groups."
Abstract This paper explains that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
is created, directed and empowered by the Congressional statute and is answerable only to the United States Congress; its responsibility is regulating the radio spectrum for the non-governmental use of radio and television broadcasting and all forms of telecommunication such as wireless, satellite, cable and the internet. The author points out that the FCC is criticized for being both too restrictive and permissive causing several hardships to the general public and to the service providers such as delaying the licensing of new projects thereby making the use of new technologies risky. The paper relates that a positive role played by the agency is safe guarding the societal interests controlling the use of electromagnetic waves, popularly known as radio spectrum, which have emerged as one of important secondary needs of the human society along with electricity and the motorcar.
Table of Contents
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Critical Analysis of the Functioning of FCC Positive Aspects of FCC Conclusion
From the Paper "The commission is governed by a group of five commissioners appointed by the President of the United States and approved by the senate for a five-year term. One of the commissioners, nominated by the President officiates as the Chirman of the commission. Ten staff Offices and six operating Bureaus under the overall supervision of the office of the Managing Director, assist the commissioners in executing the responsibilities like processing of applications for licenses and other filings, analyzing complaints, conducting investigations, developing and implementing regulatory programs, and taking part in hearings based on judicial disputes arising in the use of radio spectrum."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of the FCC's recent rule changes regarding broadcast ownership in the United States. Specifically, it will discuss what is involved, the arguments on both sides of the issue, and the relative relationship and authority between the FCC and Congress in this dispute.
From the Paper "The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued new rules regarding broadcast ownership in America today, and the rules have generated great controversy since they were announced. Basically, the "FCC's rules make it easier for media corporations to buy more newspapers and television stations but tighten radio ownership rules" (Ahrens). Many critics of the new rules believe that allowing huge media corporations to buy even more newspapers and television stations would not only create a monopoly on the media in many areas, it would create a large lack of independent thought in the news and media. With a few large media corporations controlling essentially all of the media in many areas, free thought and expression would be replaced with a corporate spin on all the news available in the area. Before the FCC passed the new rules, millions of Americans voiced their displeasure over the new rules by writing letters and sending petitions to Washington, however, the FCC chose to ignore the pleas of the citizens, and OK'd the new rules in spite of the growing voice against them."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed exploration of the recent FCC decisions concerning media and the percentage of ownership companies are allowed to have. The writer examines the issues, the decisions, and the Congressional intervention following public outcry about those decisions.
From the Paper "One of the things that makes America great, according to many experts, is the diversity of the media. While one media source may be extremely conservative, another source may be more liberal. It is this balance of sides that has made the nation's media the solid source that it is today. Media has been depended on for many generations as a source of information. While most people are aware that the media is biased in its presentation there have always been stopgaps in place to prevent a controlling bias. One of the stop gaps that has been in place for many years was the mandate prohibiting any one media company from owning a large percentage of the television market."
An analysis of the article ?Selling Spectrum Rights,? by John Macmillan, discussing the game theory behind the FCC's decision of auction-process in the sale of spectrum rights.
Abstract The paper reveals the problems inherent in the article such as the article being written before the auction taking place. The paper criticizes Macmillan for making profits his primary source of concern while emphasizing that the motivation behind this sale is not monetary. The paper notes a flaw in Macmillan's argument regarding efficiency being of paramount importance. The paper shows how the other goals discussed are mere covers for the desire to produce revenue.
From the Paper "If the FCC were actually concerned about efficiency, minority ownership, preventing monopolies, and promoting the best usage of these spectrum for the sake of the people, it could have mirrored an auction such as the one in Argentina. This nation auctioned off its licenses not to the highest bidder, but to the company which could set up an efficient, goal driven system in the least amount of time."
This paper focuses on the telecommunications industry, which has seen an accelerating wave of corporate mergers and acquisitions that have resulted in the creation of multi-billion-dollar media conglomerates.
Abstract This paper discusses the government's continuous deregulation of the telecommunications industry, which was intended to result in increased competition, however the exact opposite was in fact achieved. The writer of this paper discusses the growing trend by large media conglomerates that are continuously consuming their competition. As a result, the mega-media companies cited in this paper, produce and/or distribute the majority of television shows, radio programs, movies and print publications. This paper examines the makeup of several large media conglomerates such as AOL-Time Warner, which was formed in 2000 for $160 billion and the Walt Disney Company, which includes several television production companies and cable networks and more than 100 million subscribers. The writer of this paper detail the impact and control these companies have on today's media. The writer contends and explains how these particular monopolies control the traditional ideas of the free press. This paper also delves into the FCC's recently relaxed media ownership rules that allows large media conglomerates to grow even larger, resulting in a great deal of protest.
From the Paper "The FCC recently relaxed media ownership rules that allowed large media conglomerates to grow even larger. Thus, they set off a great deal of protest. Americans did not appreciate the fact that a small group of powerful corporations are given more control of the most important element of our democracy: our access to information. They are right to feel this way. The media monopoly allows a small amount of companies power over media outlets (independent and corporate alike, including on the Web). This is far too much power for them to possess, but this is the future face of media consolidation."
Abstract In the world of radio talk shows, there can be no question that shock-jock personality Howard Stern is one of the most controversial show leads in history. This paper discusses the fines levied against the Howard Stern Show by the FCC and outlines the reasons for those fines. Additionally, this paper discusses Stern's long history of battle against censorship in relation to the FCC, and briefly discusses Stern's popularity among certain groups within the United States. The paper shows that while Stern is certainly controversial and disliked by many in religious, political, and women's rights communities, his strong voice acts as a symbol of free speech for many fans.
From the Paper "Specifically, Infinity Broadcasting Corporation of Pennsylvania was fined for airing Howard Stern episodes containing explicit sexual material. While the decision was appealed, the appeal was lost. Following the initial complaint, the FCC heard complaints from Americans for Responsible Television, concerned about Stern's sexual content, and the African-American Business Administration, which was concerned over Stern's attitude towards blacks. By 1993, stations had incurred over $1.7 million in fines over Stern's radio show (Foerstel, 1997)."
Abstract The writer of this paper shows how Broadband is a way to explain how the Internet will embark from the traditional online connection into the freeway of the information system, the combination of digital and fiber optic technology. The paper studies the history of Broadband, its uses and advantages and its use in today's Internet world. Finally, the paper shows - graphically too - the part that broadband will play in the future, both from the Internet and business points of view.
From the Paper "Compared to dial-up modem, the broadband technology could do it much faster, in seconds. Cable modem, wireless, and DSL provides around ten times faster connections compared to dial-up modem, in any capacity the modem has. With the use of cable modem, such large-filed applications like games and movies can also be viewed and played through the original speed and convenience. It is also possible to do the download, browsing, and checking email click-by-click at the same time without any frustrating trouble of logging in and disconnecting from the ISP."
Abstract This paper discusses what is Bluetooth and where it got its name from. It shows how in 1984 Ericsson Corporation began a study to examine radio links as an alternatives to the cables that linked its mobile phones with accessories. Out of this study came the specifications for Bluetooth wireless technology which means one no longer needs to connect, plug into, install, enable or configure the device settings . The paper describes the technology used, the IEEE standards utilized with Bluetooth, regulation of Bluetooth, its development and possible risks of utilizing Bluetooth.
From the Paper "The Bluetooth Special Interest Group, or SIG, is a group of companies working together to promote and define the Bluetooth specifications. The Bluetooth SIG was founded by five companies to develop the Bluetooth concept as a viable wireless technology standard. The companies are Ericsson, Intel, IBM, Toshiba and Nokia. Other companies like Microsoft, Lucent, 3Com and Motorola later joined the Bluetooth SIG. To date, more than 1,500 companies have joined this group and the specifications are developed, published and promoted by the Bluetooth SIG."
Abstract This paper examines how advertising has affected the role that the media plays in our lives. The paper examines the affect that the market has on the effectiveness of mass media. Some of the different issues discussed are the evolution of many newspapers from family-owned, to corporate-owned, deregulation, changes in the laws and how advertising has affected the need to increase revenues and how the type of advertiser approached influences the content of the materials. The author presents information to illustrate how different publications or even television programs attract a certain audience and this influences the type of advertisements that are found. The author also feels that in some cases too much emphasis has been placed on advertising and revenue dollars generated and this is having a negative impact on the freedom that the media, especially the newspapers have in reporting events. The paper reviews some studies that have been conducted in order to support the theory that today's mass media is unduly influenced by the need to generate revenue through advertising and as a result the message that the public is receiving is also being influenced in a negative manner.
From the Paper "There are continual attempts to control the form and content of mass media. Deregulation of FCC limits on advertising time on radio and television in the 1980s fundamentally changed the nature of the mass media product that all of us are now served, and this deregulation came about because of very direct federal governmental (i.e. political) activity in the realm of mass media. Thus what seemed to be a political matter (the federal government wanted to reduce the level of regulation of as many industries as possible) was also very much an economic one (more minutes of advertising on radio and television shows meant that the marketplace ? and individual companies ? had more control over the content of television and radio programs."
Abstract Microbroadcasters are citizens who put low-powered radio stations on the air without a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The paper discusses the reasons and the history behind these acts of civil disobedience.
From the Paper "Noam Chomsky the leading American critic said in one of his interviews that "where there is even a pretense of democracy communications are at its heart". (Chomsky, 2002) Given the present situation of our society, however it is no surprise that we find communication not at the heart of a vibrant democracy, but rather under the heal of an oppressive and contradictory system of commercialism, censorship, and control. "
Analysis of Supreme Court's 1975 landmark ruling in Miller vs. California. History of obscenity definitions. Role of Congress & FCC. Problem of a national consensus & local community standards.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 95.95
From the Paper "Any discussion of a national obscenity standard must begin with the question: Does one exist? The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Miller v. California, along with subsequent clarifying decisions, declared that from then on local communities would in effect establish their own rules and standards of what was and was not obscene. What's more, the court ?specifically rejected the concept of a nationwide ?contemporary community standard,? and left to the individual states? to determine the scope of the community upon which questionable material might be judged (Linz, 1994, 82). Thus, at the time many thought this might abolish for good any thought of a national standard. Not surprisingly, however, considering the unpredictability of American public life, the high court's ruling has raised surprising ..."
From the Paper "THE IMPACT OF FCC REGULATION ON THE COMMERCIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
This research examines the impact of government regulation in telecommunications in the United States through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the commercial implementation of evolving technologies. The issues surrounding the commercial implementation of evolving interconnectivity technologies in the contemporary period provide the context of this examination.
The Interconnectivity Problem
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 enacted by the 104th Congress and signed into law by President Clinton on 8 February 1996 requires, in general, that all telecommunications carriers link (interconnect) their facilities and equipment either directly.."
Abstract This paper discusses the theory behind public policy analysis. A number of techniques and methods have been used over the years to analyze policies, which begin from a descriptive approach to case studies and develop right up to a quasi-experimental approach. It attempts to analyze one policy and discuss whether the analysis conforms to the standards of public administration educational texts through the analysis of Bob Brewin's (2001) article ?FCC delays decision on 'ultrawide-band' until February.? about unlicensed wireless usage. It demonstrates how the essence of good reporting in any case, is to present both sides of the argument without really analyzing or providing opinions on an issue.
From the Paper "The policy, which will be discussed, is the Federal Communication Commission's stance on "controversial unlicensed wireless" called "ultra-wide band" communications (UWB). The Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) is delaying its decision to permit the use of a "controversial unlicensed wireless" called "ultra-wide band" communications (UWB). A number of companies such as Sony and Intel have encouraged the use of such devices but the aviation and communication industries seem to reject the idea. This difference of opinion is the cause of the delay in creating an effective policy."
Tags: public, administration, communications, techniques, methods, ultra-wide, band
