The change we need: 5 ways to fix fcc.gov

[Commentary] Somebody's got to do something about the Federal Communications Commission's web site. Let's face it, fcc.gov still looks like it was thrown together six weeks after Netscape went public over a decade ago. The result: the only people who can really access it are telecom lawyers, public interest groups with their autoforms, and wonks who have dedicated years to exploring its mysteries. The tens of thousands of Americans who want to intelligently participate in the FCC's many proceedings are almost instantly stymied by the Byzantine nature of the site. Except, of course, if they want to make an indecency complaint. Here's some suggestions for making the site more usable and accessible:

1) Make it easier for the public to comment on proceedings.

2) Make it easier to search for comments on proceedings.

3) Broadcast the FCC's Open Meetings on the front page of the site.

4) Add RSS support.

5) Ask indecency complainers to certify that they've actually seen the program that they're complaining about.

The bottom line is that nobody should ever go to fcc.gov wanting to communicate on the record with the FCC on an important issue and walk away confused and frustrated. Right now the scattershot nature of the site gives the advantage to corporate insiders and lobby groups with their autoforms. Folks who want to educate themselves about issues or offer meaningful input as unaffiliated individuals are shut out of the loop. That's just wrong. No doubt Barack Obama's FCC will spend plenty of capital and time trying to improve the communications of others. Hopefully it will put a priority on getting its own Web house in order as well.