With Anna Gomez now officially sworn in as an FCC Commissioner, US broadcasters are looking forward to the action that a full Commission can bring after years of stagnation. But of the numerous radio issues for the FCC to address, when can the industry expect movement?
Upon taking office, Gomez stated, “I am humbled and honored that President Biden and the United States Senate have entrusted me with the privilege to serve the people of the United States as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. As the first Latina to serve in this position in over two decades, it is especially meaningful to be sworn in as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Upon Gomez’s appointment, she confirmed the acting staff in her office, which includes Deena Shetler as Acting Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor for Media and International, Edyael Casaperalta as Acting Legal Advisor for Wireless, Public Safety and Consumer Protection, Hayley Steffen as Acting Legal Advisor for Wireline and Space, and Anna Holland as Acting Executive Assistant.
She continued, “I look forward to working with Congress, Chairwoman Rosenworcel, my fellow Commissioners, and the talented and dedicated FCC staff to ensure that every person in every community, of every geography and income, has access to modern telecommunications services. I am eager to hear from all and to bring my experience in domestic and international telecommunications to serve the American people.”
As far as working with the Chair, Rosenworcel is wasting no time in getting to work on issues important to the Biden administration, holding a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. The FCC released a draft proposal for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at re-establishing oversight of broadband internet and restoring net neutrality rules rolled back by previous Chairman Ajit Pai and a Republican majority.
This move has been supported by key Democrats in the US House Energy and Commerce Committee. The proposal is slated for public release this Thursday and is part of the agenda for the Commission’s next Open Meeting on October 19.
The move is unsurprising, considering the high politicization of the net neutrality issue, but what will be the first radio-centric topic addressed? Local radio ownership limits have remained largely unchanged since 1996, and the FCC’s 2018 Quadrennial Review remains incomplete, even as the 2022 Review began in March.
EEO issues are also garnering attention, as broadening EEO regulations could gain new momentum. There has also been a push for quicker disclosure requirements for advertising orders from political candidates and issue advertisers. With hundreds of consent decrees signed in the past two years, these requirements could see further clarification. In addition, the FCC might revisit the need for disclosing the funding sources of political advertising as record spending looms in 2024.
Finally, the FCC is considering new public file obligations. These include a standard certification form for buyers of program time to reveal any affiliations with foreign governments. Additionally, the Commission may require broadcasters to routinely certify measures taken to secure their Emergency Alert System from potential cyber threats, in line with recent movement from the SEC.
With these discussions underway, the radio industry should closely watch the FCC’s actions under its new leadership for potential shifts in regulatory requirements – the question is where and when on the list does radio fall?
