The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to ban imports and sales of telecommunications equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE, citing “unacceptable risk” to national security and critical infrastructure. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated the agency was …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)HuaweiZTE CorporationJessica RosenworcelBrendan Carr+2 morefcchuaweiztenational-securitytelecommunications-ban+7 more
On July 16, 2018, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced “serious concerns” about Sinclair Broadcast Group’s proposed $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media and referred the merger to an administrative law judge for a hearing—an extremely rare action that effectively killed the deal. …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Ajit PaiSinclair Broadcast GroupTribune MediaDavid Smith+1 moresinclair-broadcastingmedia-consolidationregulatory-capturefccpropaganda+3 more
The FCC, led by Chairman Ajit Pai, votes 3-2 along party lines to repeal Obama-era net neutrality rules, marking a major victory for telecommunications industry interests over consumer protections. Pai, a former Verizon attorney appointed by Trump, argued the regulations represented government …
Ajit PaiDonald TrumpVerizon CommunicationsMignon ClyburnComcast+2 moreregulatory-capturefccnet-neutralityajit-paitelecommunications+2 more
President Donald Trump designates Ajit Pai as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, elevating the sitting Republican commissioner and former Verizon Communications associate general counsel to lead the agency responsible for regulating his former employer and the broader …
Donald TrumpAjit PaiVerizon CommunicationsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Tom Wheelerrevolving-doorregulatory-capturefccnet-neutralityverizon+2 more
The Federal Communications Commission approves landmark net neutrality protections by a 3-2 party-line vote, reclassifying broadband internet service as a “telecommunications service” under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 to establish legally enforceable rules prohibiting …
Tom WheelerFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Ajit PaiMichael O'RiellyMignon Clyburn+2 morenet-neutralityfcctelecommunicationstitle-iitom-wheeler+1 more
The Federal Communications Commission votes 3-2 to advance Chairman Tom Wheeler’s controversial proposal that would permit internet service providers to charge content companies for priority “fast lane” access to consumers, fundamentally threatening net neutrality principles. The …
Tom WheelerFederal Communications Commission (FCC)GoogleMicrosoftFacebook+3 morenet-neutralityfccregulatory-capturetelecommunicationstom-wheeler
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals delivers a landmark ruling in Verizon v. FCC, striking down the Federal Communications Commission’s anti-blocking and anti-discrimination net neutrality rules while paradoxically outlining the path to stronger protections through Title II reclassification. The …
Verizon CommunicationsDC Circuit Court of AppealsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Julius Genachowskinet-neutralitytelecommunicationsregulatory-captureverizonfcc+1 more
President Barack Obama nominates Tom Wheeler, a former top lobbyist for cable and wireless industries, to lead the Federal Communications Commission. Wheeler’s appointment exemplifies the revolving door between telecommunications regulators and industry, having served as CEO of the Cellular …
Tom WheelerBarack ObamaCellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA)National Cable Television Association (NCTA)Public Interest Groups+1 moreregulatory-capturefccrevolving-doortelecommunicationstom-wheeler+1 more
FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker announces her resignation to join Comcast-NBC Universal as senior vice president of governmental affairs, just four months after voting to approve the company’s merger with NBC Universal. Baker was part of the 4-1 majority that approved the $30 billion …
The Federal Communications Commission approves the Open Internet Order by a 3-2 party-line vote, establishing the first formal net neutrality regulations but with significant weaknesses that would prove legally vulnerable. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s order established three core rules: …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Julius GenachowskiComcast CorporationVerizon CommunicationsAT&Tnet-neutralityfcctelecommunicationsregulatory-capturederegulation
The Federal Communications Commission votes 3-2 to punish Comcast for its “surreptitious interference” with BitTorrent uploads, marking the first time any U.S. broadband provider has been found to violate net neutrality principles. The Commission formally adopted an order finding that …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Comcast CorporationElectronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)Kevin Martinnet-neutralityregulatory-capturetelecommunicationsfcccomcast
The FCC, led by Chairman Michael Powell (son of Secretary of State Colin Powell), votes 3-2 along party lines to dramatically ease media ownership restrictions despite overwhelming public opposition. The new rules would increase the national TV ownership cap from 35% to 45% of U.S. households and …
Michael K. PowellColin PowellGeorge W. BushTrent LottFCC Republican Commissioners+1 moreregulatory-capturefccmedia-consolidationderegulationmichael-powell+1 more
The Federal Communications Commission approves Viacom’s $35.6 billion acquisition of CBS Corporation despite the merger violating FCC regulations prohibiting one company from owning television stations reaching more than 35% of the U.S. audience and prohibiting ownership of two networks if one …
ViacomCBS CorporationSumner RedstoneMel KarmazinFCC Federal Communications Commissionmedia-consolidationtelecommunicationsmergerfccderegulation+2 more
President Bill Clinton signs the Telecommunications Act of 1996 into law, eliminating the national cap on radio station ownership (previously 40 stations maximum) and increasing the television audience reach cap from 25% to 35%, triggering one of the largest media consolidation waves in American …
Bill ClintonU.S. CongressFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Clear Channel CommunicationsViacom+1 moremedia-consolidationderegulationtelecommunications-actcorporate-lobbyingfcc+2 more
FCC Chairman Dennis R. Patrick’s Commission votes 4-0 to abolish the Fairness Doctrine in the Syracuse Peace Council decision, eliminating the 38-year requirement that broadcast licensees using publicly-owned airwaves must provide balanced coverage of controversial issues and present opposing …
Dennis R. PatrickFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Ronald ReaganMark S. FowlerMimi Weyforth Dawson+3 moremedia-regulationfairness-doctrinederegulationfccregulatory-capture+3 more
The Federal Communications Commission formally adopts the “seven-station rule” (Report and Order in Docket No. 8967, 18 F.C.C. 288) establishing that no single entity may own more than seven AM radio stations, seven FM radio stations, and seven television stations nationwide, with the …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)media-regulationownership-limitsseven-station-rulefccantitrust+2 more
The Federal Communications Commission adopts the Fairness Doctrine through its “Report on Editorializing by Broadcast Licensees,” establishing a formal regulatory requirement that broadcast license holders must (1) provide adequate coverage of controversial issues of public importance …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)U.S. Congressmedia-regulationfairness-doctrinefccpublic-interest-standardbroadcasting+1 more
The Federal Communications Commission imposes the first national ownership restrictions for television stations at the dawn of the television industry, limiting any single entity from owning, operating, or controlling more than three television stations nationwide. The rule implements the …
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)media-regulationownership-limitsfcctelevisionantitrust+1 more
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Communications Act of 1934 (Chapter 5 of Title 47 U.S. Code), replacing the Federal Radio Commission with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and consolidating federal regulation of all interstate and foreign communications including radio, …
Franklin D. RooseveltU.S. CongressFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Radio Commissionmedia-regulationfccpublic-interest-standardnew-dealcommunications-policy+1 more
President Calvin Coolidge signs the Radio Act of 1927 (Public Law 632, 69th Congress), establishing the foundational principle that radio spectrum frequencies are publicly owned natural resources held in trust by the federal government for the American people. The legislation creates the Federal …
Calvin CoolidgeClarence DillWallace H. White Jr.Federal Radio CommissionU.S. Congressmedia-regulationpublic-airwavesfccbroadcastingpublic-interest-standard+1 more