Question

Broadcast regulation and policy

Needed to manage and assign airwaves to radio, television, emergency services, and the military
Canadian mandate to serve cultural and political goals
Broadcasting is licensed and regulated by the CRTC; the CRTC can also establish new policies.

Answer 1

Broadcast regulation is managed by the FCC, which oversees the allocation and use of the airwaves for radio, television, and other communication uses, ensuring compliance with rules and maintaining diversity in media ownership to serve public interest.

Step-by-step explanation:

Broadcast regulation and policy are essential for managing the finite resource of broadcast frequencies, used by radio, television, as well as emergency and military services. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency responsible for licensing and regulation of these frequencies. Historically, the regulation began with the Radio Act of 1927, which aimed to organize the surging number of radio stations and the chaotic use of frequencies. This act led to the creation of the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), which was later replaced by the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934 to regulate interstate and international communications.

The FCC's roles include allocating spectrum space for broadcasters, ensuring compliance with rules concerning indecency and advertising, and overseeing various other functions like assigning frequency, power, and call signs. The FCC also ensures diversity in ownership to prevent monopolies and requires stations to serve the public interest, focusing on local and minority communities. With time, its authority expanded to include cable television systems, which are also subject to regulation regarding pricing, programming, and the inclusion of noncommercial and local channels.