1. Future of Media and the FCC
Nicholas P. Miller IMLA
Washington DC
April 18, 2010

2. Introduction FCC Inquiry Overall Priorities Local Government Interests
NATOA/ACM Role
Model Comments

3. FCC Inquiry Steve Waldman, Special Advisor to Chair
Report to the commission on the state and fate of the media in the midst of radical change
A long proceeding - By end of year 2010

4. Overall Priorities
Major effort: look at traditional public-service functions for broadcasters and cable (eg PEG)
How to preserve role of media and journalism in a world being deconstructed by new media
Policy advice to FCC will show up in everything

5. Basic Premises Under Review
Results/Conclusions will show up in all forms of FCC proceedings
For Example:
the national broadband plan (need to transfer spectrum to Public Safety)
Media Cross-ownership rule review
Still Needed?
The Comcast NBCU Merger
Net Neutrality
Title I/II infrastructure
Set top box proceeding

6. Local Government Interests
Big Issue: Local Coverage of Local Issues Essential to Local Community
History of Broadcast/Newspaper Dominance:
No coverage of Most Issues smaller jurisdictions
PEG provided real coverage of local issues
Rise of Internet and “Social Media”
What new “structural” and “subsidy” regulations are appropriate?
What “public interest” obligations should attach to platform providers?
Is PEG still needed?
Should FOIA/sunshine laws be changed?

7. Specific PEG Questions (Question 47)
Are PEG channels effective sources of news and information to communities? 
Can PEG effectiveness be improved?
Does statewide franchising serve or undermine the intended benefits from PEG? 
Other ways to provide PEG benefits in the digital age? 
Should PEG work with noncommercial television and radio licensees, as well as with other non-profit media entities?

8. NATOA/ACM Role Lead Comments Workshop Participation Model Comments
Limited Resources

9. Model Comments Opening Comments were filed March 8
Docket remains open and numbers matter
Copies of draft Model Comments

10. Model Comments Outline
PEG fills unique community needs
PEG challenges:
Operators abusing state franchise legislation to limit or sunset traditional sources of PEG support, resulting in PEG centers closing across the nation;
Abuses of state franchise laws
Closing channels
Operators discriminating against PEG channels
move channels to less desirable channel locations,
require additional equipment to view PEG channels,
aggregate PEG channels on a technically deficient video stream
Lack of functionality of commercial channels
The Commission’s delay in addressing industry practices.

11. Contact Information
Nicholas Miller
Miller & Van Eaton, P.L.L.C.
1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Suite 1000
Washington, D.C
phone
fax