FCC Taking Look At Future Of Local News
The FCC said today it is launching an inquiry into the future of media and the information needs of communities with an eye toward making policy recommendations to the FCC and other governmental agencies.
For now, the inquiry comprises an 11-page public notice asking scores of questions and a related website. It will expand to include interviews, review of existing studies and hearing records and it may hold public workshops.
The effort is being led by former journalist and Internet entrepreneur Steven Waldman, who recently joined the FCC as senior adviser to Chairman Julius Genachowski.
"We are at a critical juncture in the evolution of American media," Genachowski said. "Rapid technological change in the media marketplace has created opportunities for tremendous innovation.
"It has also caused financial turmoil for traditional media, calling into question whether these media outlets will continue to play their historic role in providing local communities with essential news and civic information.
"With this crucial initiative, the FCC commits to fully understanding the fundamental changes underway in the media marketplace and examining what impact such changes may have for commission policies, while vigorously protecting the First Amendment."
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, which opposes further media consolidation, called the inquiry "an important endeavor."
"The government has a critical role to play ensuring that communities have a vibrant Fourth Estate to hold government and corporate leaders accountable. And this FCC initiative is an opportunity to engage journalists, educators and everyday citizens in crafting the policies we need to support quality journalism.
"It is vital that policymakers recognize the connection between years of media consolidation and threats to local news production. Unfortunately, when media companies merge in order to supersize their profits, they tend to downsize their employees -- including the journalists responsible for telling citizens what's happening in their communities.
Initial topics under consideration in the inquiry include the state of TV, radio, newspaper and Internet news and information services; the effectiveness and nature of public interest obligations in a digital era; the role of public media and private sector foundations; and many others.
The initiative will not include any effort to control the editorial content of any type of media, the FCC said.
The website includes a forum for citizens and experts to weigh in on key questions, and an area for consumers to contribute their thoughts on the media in their communities.
As someone who's worked in major market TV news, I would recommend that the FCC prohibit joint operating agreements and duopolies, which reduce the diversity of editorial voices in the marketplace of ideas.
Aside from that, I would recommend that bureaucrats leave the news business to the news business, and avoid the temptation to meddle in what should be a solely private enterprise.
Among the words this journalist fears the most are these: "We're from the government, and we're here to help."