The currently all-male, all-white FCC will take up the issue of gathering better data on minority and female broadcast ownership at its April 8th meeting. The tentative agenda also includes a look at video programming competition and a proposal to promote rural radio service. Even though the National Broadband Plan is the top item, it’s an agenda pretty heavy on broadcasting issues.
Details are non-existent at this point, but the recently-enacted practice of putting out a tentative agenda well ahead of the required Sunshine Agenda gives us all a heads-up on what to expect.
“Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps has circulated the following items for consideration by his fellow FCC Commissioners as the tentative agenda for the next open Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
National Broadband Plan
A Notice of Inquiry on developing a National Broadband Plan, as instructed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Minority and Female Broadcast Ownership Data Collection
A Report and Order, and 4th Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Improving Data Collection on Minority and Female Broadcast Ownership.
Video Competition Report
A supplemental Notice of Inquiry on the FCC’s Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for Delivery of Video Programming.
Rural Radio Service
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Policies to Promote Rural Radio Service and to Streamline Auction, Allotment and Assignment Policies.
Part 90 Public Safety Rules
A Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing miscellaneous Part 90 public safety rules, including the 4.9 GHz band.
Topics selected for open meeting agendas are made public and posted on the Commission’s website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission’s next monthly meeting. The Commission will issue a public notice of the “Commission Meeting Agenda” one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.”
