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• The Federal Communications Commission is a government agency in the United States that regulates broadcasting on radio, television, and both national and international communications. Violation of FCC policies result in fines.

  FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced on January 14, 2009, that he would be resigning from his position effective on January 20, 2009. President Barack Obama has nominated Julius Genachowski to head the FCC under his administration.Washington Post: Julius Genachowski Nominated to Chair FCC (March 3, 2009) FCC is currently headed by interim chairman Michael Copps.PC Magazine: Obama Picks Genachowski as FCC Chairman (March 3, 2009)

• Fast Facts:

  1. Established: June 19, 1934
  2. Established by: Communications Act of 1934
  3. Headquarters: Washington, DC
  4. Directed by five commissioners who are nominated by the U.S. president and serve for five-year terms
  5. Only three of the commissioners can be from the same party
  6. The chairman is the head of the department
  7. Interim chairman Michael Copps is currently heading FCC
  8. Former chairman Kevin Martin resigned in January 2009PC Magazine: Obama Picks Genachowski as FCC Chairman (March 3, 2009)
  9. President Barack Obama nominated Julius Genachowski for the position on March 3, 2009Washington Post: Julius Genachowski Nominated to Chair FCC (March 3, 2009)
  10. Preceding agency: Federal Radio Commission

• Bureaus

  1. Consumer and Governmental Affairs (CGB): Consumer policies
  2. Enforcement Bureau (EB): Enforcement of the Communications Act of 1934
  3. International Bureau (IB): International policies
  4. Media Bureau (MB): Radio and TV policies
  5. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
  6. Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB): Cell phone networks and other mobile services
  7. Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB): Development of wireline technologies

• Controversy

  Some critics of the FCC claim the agency constitutes censorship and violates First Amendment rights. Others believe the group doesn't do enough to filter explicit or indecent content from the airwaves.

• Fairness Doctrine

  The Fairness Doctrine is a now defunct FCC policy. It required broadcasters to air opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. Several politicians have suggested the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, at the same time, others have raised opposition to a reinstatement. An amendment to outlaw the doctrine was added to a bill to give District of Columbia voting rights. The bill was passed in the U.S. Senate, but a vote on the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives was delayed after a controversial firearms provision was also added to the bill.Fox News: Firearm Provision Blows Up D.C. Voting Rights Bill (March 3, 2009)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  FDA | Janet Jackson | Justin Timberlake | CBS | Julius Genachowski | Fairness Doctrine

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