Posts Tagged ‘Michael Copps’

Brian Jennings

FCC: America’s New Speech Police

by Brian Jennings

I find it incredible in America that a regulatory agency thinks it has jurisdiction to probe an independent business.  Oh, but I forget about Chrysler, GM, and our banking system.  Foolish me.  What the Federal Communications Commission is doing is outlandish and smacks of tyranny in the making.  We should brace ourselves because the implications for free speech in America are grave.  Your right to hear what you want to hear when you want to hear it is something our government doesn’t give a damn about.  The free marketplace of ideas is something that is evil to them.

The FCC has announced it will probe Arbitron’s new audience measurement system for radio stations – it’s called the Portable People Meter.  Arbitron is an independent company and the FCC has no jurisdiction over it.  But, acting FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and his fellow Democrat Jonathan Adelstein disagree.  Adelstein has been quoted as stating the commission has “clear authority” over broadcast signals, and “legitimate questions” to ask about Arbitron’s system, which relies on these signals, and operates as a currency for the industry.  (more…)

Brian Jennings

Redistributing the Media

by Brian Jennings

During his campaign Mr. Obama stated numerous times his desire to increase diversity of ownership of media.  Minions on the FCC such as Commissioners Copps and Adelstein have also stated their desire to redistribute the media.  The first step toward that goal has been announced.  And, it threatens conservative talk in America.

Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps has set May 7th as the date for a meeting of the commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. Copps has been stating loudly that he wants to increase diversity in media ownership and that it will be a priority of the FCC.  National hearings on the topic were held in 2007 and the FCC commissioners turned up their criticism of large media companies like Clear Channel and others.  This will get the ball rolling on diversity before new FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is confirmed by the Senate and seated at the FCC.  They are deadly serious.  (more…)