When was the fcc founded

In time, however, the agency began to promote competition. The courts ruled that there was no compelling public interest in a long-distance monopoly. Recent regulatory issues have centered on the entry of telephone companies into other communications services. In the FCC removed restrictions on their foray into computer communications, and the Telecommunications Act of allowed telephone companies to enter the cable communications market by relaxing cross-ownership limits.

Because communications frequencies are scarce and the airways are public by nature, the FCC has been given and has taken some broad powers in regulating the broadcast media. In its early years, the FCC enforced limits on ownership, chain broadcasting, and content regulation.

Among other things, it ordered the breakup of the NBC Blue radio network because of excessive monopoly control. In National Broadcasting Co. The regulation of ownership has, however, loosened in recent years, because the FCC, in a deregulatory mood, has allowed concentration of station ownership. The Telecommunications Act of raised the limits on station ownership and in several amendments since increased the limits and loosened the rules on media cross-ownership. However, these developments have not been without controversy.

Consumer and other interest groups have protested that the increasing corporate concentration of power violates the public interest and excludes minorities from ownership.

Some critics contend that the FCC has fallen short on content regulation. Driven by commercial interests, it often has failed adequately to insist on the presentation of diverse viewpoints. By contrast, free-market champions often argue that FCC regulation stifles diversity by restricting competition. The fairness doctrine was challenged in in Red Lion Broadcasting Co.

Federal Communications Commission , but it was upheld on the grounds of frequency scarcity. However, in , during the deregulatory era, the FCC held that scarcity was no longer a consideration, and it formally abolished the doctrine in Indecent or obscene speech has been an important regulatory content issue. The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.

An independent U. In its work facing economic opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving advances in global communications, the agency capitalizes on its competencies in:.

The agency is directed by five commissioners who are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U. The president also selects one of the commissioners to serve as chairman. Sunstein Federalist No. Epstein Office of Management and Budget. Voter information What's on my ballot? Where do I vote? How do I register to vote? How do I request a ballot?

When do I vote? When are polls open? Who Represents Me? Congress special elections Governors State executives State legislatures Ballot measures State judges Municipal officials School boards. The commissioners hold regular open and closed agenda meetings and special meetings.

They also may act between meetings by "circulation," a procedure by which a document is submitted to each commissioner individually for consideration and official action.

The Commission staff is organized by function. There are six operating Bureaus and 10 Staff Offices.