FCC proposal to regulate news draws fire

[Chris_]

FCC proposal to regulate news draws fire

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) pushed back on Monday against a contention by a Democratic FCC commissioner that the government should create new regulations to promote diversity in news programming.

Barton was reacting to a proposal made last week by FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, who in a speech suggested that broadcasters be subject to a new "public values test" every four years.

"I hope … that you do not mean to suggest that it is the job of the federal government, through the [FCC], to determine the content that is available for Americans to consume,” Barton wrote Monday in a letter to Copps.

Copps had suggested that the test would make a broadcaster's license renewal contingent upon proof that they meet a prospective set of federal criteria.

The Hill

Also from the FCC this week: Free internet is a civil right for every 'nappy headed' child.  So hand over your money and your TVs, because the FCC is going to come knocking.

[Carl]

The Hill

Also from the FCC this week: Free internet is a civil right for every 'nappy headed' child.  So hand over your money and your TVs, because the FCC is going to come knocking.

No matter what it takes the left will NEVER give up what they want and will always resort to tyranny to get it.

[Attero Dominatus]

A 'right' to healthcare. A 'right' to education. A 'right' to internet. So-called 'positive rights' are nothing more than excuses for slavery and a means for control.

to the FCC.

[true_blood]

A 'right' to healthcare. A 'right' to education. A 'right' to internet. So-called 'positive rights' are nothing more than excuses for slavery and a means for control.

to the FCC.

You said it.
More and more we lose this Country. TOTAL gubberment control is the goal.

[Pat]

[DumbAss Tanker]

...a proposal made last week by FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, who in a speech suggested that broadcasters be subject to a new "public values test" every four years.

This is totally unacceptable.  Probably totally unConstitutional, but it would take a court challenge after any such reg went into effect to force a declaration on that.

The FCC can certainly, up to a point and for certain established reasons, prohibit certain content on the grounds of obscenity or a very limited set of other reasons.  It is an entirely different matter and completely over the top for them to require any particular content.

[thundley4]

It is an entirely different matter and completely over the top for them to require any particular content.

Don't they already require stations to provide a certain amount of children's programming and educational programming?  Our local weather station, which normally just shows doppler radar with  the current temps and conditions even shows educational stuff for kids.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Don't they already require stations to provide a certain amount of children's programming and educational programming?  Our local weather station, which normally just shows doppler radar with  the current temps and conditions even shows educational stuff for kids.

I assume you're talking television, since it's hard to watch radar images on a radio, and licenses for TV are much tougher to get since there are many, many fewer possible broadcast frequency allocations for full-power operations.  That sounds like it's an artifact of their particular class of cut-rate license as a non-commercial/public-service station if you are correct.  It's still not the same thing as mandating content; assuming that you're right as far as you go, the station would just have to offer X many hours per week of at-least-arguably educational and age-appropriate content, it does not mean the FCC controls or requires ANYTHING about particular ideologies, social philosophies, or worldviews in it.

[Freeper]

Any bets they will try to push, Rush, Hannity, and Beck off the air?

[ColonialMarine0431]

A 'right' to healthcare. A 'right' to education. A 'right' to internet. So-called 'positive rights' are nothing more than excuses for slavery and a means for control.

to the FCC.

H5

[true_blood]

Any bets they will try to push, Rush, Hannity, and Beck off the air?

You bet your ass that is the goal. Mike Savage will be on that list as well.
Can you say "dictatorship".

[ColonialMarine0431]

If the gubbment tries to silence free speach all Hell will break loose. Even jagoffs like Olberturd, Madcow and Chrissy Matthews have the right to freedom of expression. As distasteful as their words are, it's guanranteed. The  First Amendment to the United States Constitution as part of the Bill of Rights clearly states:

"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."