10.4 Government Regulation of Broadcasting and Digital Media

Broadcasting regulation has evolved from early radio laws to the modern FCC. This agency now oversees licensing, content, and ownership in the media landscape. Its role has adapted to changing technologies and industry consolidation.

Digital media has disrupted journalism, presenting challenges like misinformation and revenue loss. However, it also offers opportunities for global reach and new storytelling formats. Regulators grapple with issues like net neutrality and content moderation in this evolving landscape.

Historical Development and Government Regulation of Broadcasting

Development of broadcast regulation

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  Year in Review (100 Years Later): The Incredible 1912 – Active History View original

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• Radio Act of 1912 first attempt to regulate radio communication required radio operators to obtain licenses from the Department of Commerce
• Radio Act of 1927 established the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) gave the FRC power to grant and deny licenses, assign frequencies, and regulate broadcasting
• Communications Act of 1934 established the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave the FCC authority to regulate interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable
• Telecommunications Act of 1996 introduced significant deregulation of the broadcasting industry allowed for increased media consolidation (mergers) and cross-ownership (owning multiple types of media outlets)

Role of FCC in media

• Licensing and spectrum allocation grants and renews broadcast licenses assigns frequencies to prevent interference (overlapping signals)
• Content regulation enforces rules related to indecency, obscenity, and profanity oversees compliance with the Children's Television Act (educational programming requirements)
• Ownership regulations sets limits on media ownership to promote diversity and competition reviews and approves mergers and acquisitions in the broadcasting industry (Comcast-NBC Universal merger)
• Equal time rule and fairness doctrine (no longer enforced) required broadcasters to provide equal opportunities for political candidates mandated coverage of controversial issues of public importance (Vietnam War, civil rights movement)

Digital Media and the Future of Journalism

Digital media's impact on journalism

• Challenges increased competition for audience attention fragmentation of the media landscape (multiple platforms and devices) decline in traditional revenue sources (print advertising) spread of misinformation and fake news (social media echo chambers)
• Opportunities increased accessibility and reach of news content (global audience) development of new storytelling formats (interactive data visualizations, 360-degree video) potential for greater audience engagement and participation (user-generated content, crowdsourcing) lower barriers to entry for new media outlets and independent journalists (blogging, podcasting)

Government regulation in digital journalism

• Net neutrality ensuring equal treatment of internet traffic preventing internet service providers from prioritizing or blocking content (fast lanes for streaming services)
• Privacy and data protection safeguarding user data and personal information (General Data Protection Regulation) balancing privacy concerns with the need for targeted advertising and personalization (behavioral targeting)
• Intellectual property and copyright protecting journalists' and media organizations' content from unauthorized use (paywall circumvention) adapting copyright laws to the digital environment (fair use, Creative Commons licenses)
• Content moderation and platform responsibility determining the role of social media platforms in moderating user-generated content (Facebook's Oversight Board) addressing the spread of misinformation and hate speech while preserving free speech (Twitter's fact-checking labels)