Who regulates public broadcasting?

The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

Which government agency oversees the licensing and operation of broadcast stations?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States.

What legislation states that stations must operate in the public interest Convenience and Necessity?

The Communications Act of 1934 requires that broadcast licensees operate in the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” In this paper, Stuart Brotman examines the history of legislative, judicial, and regulatory interpretations of the public interest standard, and demonstrates that Congress, reviewing courts, and …

Why is broadcasting still regulated by the FCC?

FCC has been given broad power to regulate the broadcast media. Because communications frequencies are scarce and the airways are public by nature, the FCC has been given (and has taken) some broad powers in regulating the broadcast media.

What does the FCC control?

The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications through cable, radio, television, satellite and wire.

Are broadcasting stations common carriers?

Law required broadcasters to develop public interest programming. Radio communication itself was viewed as a content provider and thus exempted as a common carrier. Although radio broadcasting is a commercial enterprise, certain of its aspects lend it a public character.

How does the FCC regulate the broadcast media?

What is the FCC’s Responsibility? The FCC is barred by law from trying to prevent the broadcast of any point of view. The Communications Act prohibits the FCC from censoring broadcast material, in most cases, and from making any regulation that would interfere with freedom of speech.