Final answer:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency that regulates all radio operations in the US, as well as other forms of communications like television, wire, satellite, and cable, ensuring public interest and compliance with various regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency that regulates all radio operations in the United States. Established by the Communications Act of 1934, the FCC's responsibilities have expanded over time to cover a wide range of communications including radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The FCC ensures that all these mediums operate in the public interest and adhere to specific regulations that promote safety, security, and innovation. The agency's mission encompasses several key areas such as broadband accessibility, maintaining competition, managing spectrum, overseeing media operations, ensuring public safety, and securing the communications infrastructure.
Over the decades, the role of the FCC has evolved. Initially focusing on radio broadcasting, it was tasked with overcoming the challenges presented by unregulated airwaves. The FCC now continues to work on modernizing its approach to accommodate rapidly changing technologies and the surge in various forms of communication. Licenses issued by the FCC are mandatory for broadcasters, who must comply with rules that limit advertising content and serve the local and minority communities, among other conditions.