Electronic Media Management, Revised, 5th Edition

7 Broadcast Regulations

This chapter surveys broadcast regulations and focuses on

•  modifications of the 1996 Telecommunications Act regulatory framework

•  FCC licensing and reporting requirements

•  FCC policies pertaining to ownership, programming, announcements, commercials, and operating requirements

•  FCC regulations on indecency, violence, contests, hoaxes, and political campaigns

Historically, broadcasting has been the most heavily regulated mass medium. Broadcast regulation was based upon concepts of “public interest” and scarcity, which meant, simply, that there were more applicants for licenses than there were available frequencies. In the 1980s, a deregulation frenzy swept the federal government, and the “scarcity” rationale for ...