1. Press, Public & Politics Ownership, Regulation, and Guidance of Media

2. Overview Ownership of Media Media Regulation Print Non Print Guidance

3. How important is media ownership? Should ownership be public (i.e., the government) or private (individual investors/corporations)? Ownership

4. Advantages of Government Control Disadvantages?

5. Ownership 1934 Communications Act -- Created the FCC --Required licensing for broadcast rights --Limited ownership of licenses -- Standardized telephone infrastructure regulations (strongly favoring AT&T, the dominant player in the field)

6. Ownership 1996 Telecommunications Act: Complete overhaul of federal policy in 5 key areas: 1. radio and television broadcasting 2. cable television 3. telephone services 4. internet and online computer services 5. telecommunications equipment manufacturing

7. Radio & Television  Removed limits on number of stations that individuals or companies can own  Lengthened licensing to 8 years  Changed application policy to favor incumbent licensees over new applicants* *competing applications are rejected unless FCC determines that current licensee has not fulfilled terms of license.  Implemented ratings for sexual and/or violent content

8. Cable and Telephone Lifted rate caps on cable subscriptions if cable had competition from alternative providers Telephone providers can use lines to provide video and/or audio programming Each of the 7 regional Bell companies can now offer long distance service (for first time since 1984 break up of AT&T) Long distance carriers can provide local service

9. Title V of the Act included the “Communications Decency Act” which made internet pornography illegal Included criminal penalties for anyone distributing material objectionable to minors This section later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (Reno vs. ACLU [1997]) Internet and Online Computer Services

10. Media Ownership Media Consolidation 2006 Data from The NationThe Nation Data from Mother JonesMother Jones

11. Media Ownership What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of greater media concentration?

12. Regulation Media regulation in terms of content is limited by proscriptions of the First Amendment, with some exceptions: national security – censorship permissible if protects national security

13. Regulation “fair trial” issues – protect witnesses – protect accused

14. Regulation “Beyond the Pale” unprotected press: Libel Pornography

15. Regulation Print vs Non-print media – Print has greater protection – Non-print, distinction between finite and non-finite transmission mode  Broadcast vs cable/satellite  More restrictions on broadcast

16. Regulation The licensing provision provides an alternative means to regulate content and performance. For instance: educational programming, “equal time” provisions, program content ratings, “v-chip” blocking have all been required at various points in US history.

17. Regulation Regulation of media is also provided by non-government sources: Market Media watchdog groups e.g., AIM, FAIR, MediaMatters Citizen pressure groups “Itchy & Scratchy & Marge” “Itchy & Scratchy & Marge”

18. Regulation The licensing provision provides an alternative means to regulate content and performance. For instance: educational programming, “equal time” provisions, program content ratings, “v-chip” blocking have all been required at various points in US history.