Serving the Public Interest in the Digital Era

Federal Communications Commission
March 4, 2010
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296254A1.doc
Also see:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-296601A1.doc

As part of its project on the Future of Media and the Information Needs of Communities, the Federal Communications Commission will hold a workshop that will focus on:

  • A brief history and overview of policies involving "public interest" requirements for commercial media and telecommunications companies;
  • The state of local commercial broadcast TV and radio news and information; and
  • The impact of media convergence and the emergence of the Internet, mobile technologies, and digital media on FCC media policy.

This workshop will focus on commercial media. There will likely be another, separate workshop on the role of noncommercial media.

Agenda and Panelists
(All times EST)

10:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Steven Waldman, Senior Advisor to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, (Moderator)

Michael J. Copps, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion I: A Brief History and Overview of the "Public Interest" in Media Policymaking

Paul Starr, Professor of Communications and Public Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University

Henry Geller, U.S. Telecommunications Legal Expert and Former FCC General Counsel

Robert Ratcliffe, Deputy Chief, Media Bureau, FCC

12:00 p.m. Break

1:00 p.m. Panel Discussion II: Traditional Media - Local Television and Radio Public Interest Obligations

Angela Campbell, Professor of Law and Director of the Institute for Public Representation, Georgetown University

Barbara Cochran, President Emeritus, Radio Television Digital News Association

Jerald N. Fritz, Senior Vice President, Allbritton Communications

Eric Klinenberg, Professor of Sociology, New York University

Jane Mago, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, National Association of Broadcasters

Tom Rosenstiel, Director, Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism

Andrew J. Schwartzman, President and CEO, Media Access Project

3:00 p.m. Break

3:10 p.m. Panel Discussion III: Policy Implications of Convergence and the Digital Transformation

Daniel L. Brenner, Partner, Hogan & Hartson LLP; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown Law School

Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Vice President Regulatory Affairs, CTIA-The Wireless Association

Jeff Jarvis, Associate Professor, Director of the Interactive Program, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Srinandan Kasi, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Associated Press

Ben Scott, Policy Director, Free Press

Adam Thierer, President and Director, Center for Media and Digital Freedom, The Progress & Freedom Foundation

5:00 p.m. Adjournment

Open captioning of the forum will be provided. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need. Also include a way we can contact you if we need more information. Last-minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

For further information, contact Krista Witanowski, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2449.