Tag: FCC

Public Disinterest

Radio airwaves were not always open to the broadcasting of divisive opinions. This is the background of how the airwaves transformed from a public good to a place that feeds hatred.

In 1974 the FCC called the fairness doctrine “the single most important requirement of operation in the public interest.”

In filing their applications for license renewal, stations had to provide detailed information on their efforts to seek out and address issues of concern to the community. The program listings became the basis for determining whether licenses should be renewed.

I had no idea this was the history of our airwaves. Interesting context for the rise of Rush Limbaugh though.

Steve Wozniak to the FCC

Steve Wozniak writes a killer letter to the FCC.

Finally, the thought hit me that every time and in every way that the telecommunications careers have had power or control, we the people wind up getting screwed.

Probably the best thing I’ve read for contextualizing why we must have open and accessible internet access.