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  2. October 2017

October 2017

Republican fight against municipal broadband heats up in Michigan

A state lawmaker in Michigan wants to prevent cities and towns from using any government funding to provide Internet service. Michigan state Rep Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) submitted a bill that says cities and towns "shall not use any federal, state, or local funds or loans to pay for the cost of providing qualified Internet service." State Rep Hoitenga's bill does say that a city or town "may enter into an agreement with one or more private parties to provide qualified Internet service," as long as no government funds are used. Even with that exception, the bill could discourage cities and towns from pursuing public-private partnerships, according to an analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Community Broadband Networks project.

FCC Pauses 180-Day Transaction Shot Clock In The Tribune-Sinclair Proceeding To Allow For Additional Comment

We permit interested parties to submit additional comments in the proceeding for the transfer of control of Tribune Media Company (Tribune) to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Sinclair). We are also pausing the Commission’s 180-day transaction shot clock in this proceeding for 15 days, until November 2, 2017. For the reasons set forth below, we believe that this action will contribute to a more efficient review of the proposed transaction.

Remarks of Commissioner O'Rielly Before the New Jersey Wireless Association

I’m sure that those that love to regulate will try to make the weak case that the status of the wireless industry occurred because of — and not despite — the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations, particularly our Net Neutrality burdens. Beyond being desperate to validate their myopic decision, this argument completely ignores the counterfactual, or what would have occurred absent such burdens. The reality is that had the Commission rejected the liberal mantra of Net Neutrality, the entire wireless picture could have been even better.

Democratic Sens want hearing on Pai's Response to President Trump's NBC threat

Democratic members of the Senate Commerce Committee are calling for an oversight hearing for the Federal Communications Commission following President Donald Trump’s threats against media outlets' broadcast licenses recently. The Sens sent a letter to the committee’s top members, calling out FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for waiting so long to address the president’s statements.

“The FCC Chairman’s failure to quickly respond and denounce these threats is shocking and raises questions about the ability of the FCC to truly act independently under Chairman Pai’s leadership,” the letter reads. The group was led by Sens Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). “It is imperative that FCC Chairman Pai and his fellow Commissioners address this Committee and respond to the President’s stated desire for regulatory abuse of his perceived critics through the FCC."

Sinclair May Sell TV Stations for Up to $1 Billion to Satisfy FCC

Apparently, Sinclair Broadcast Group received bids for as many as 10 television stations that could fetch up to $1 billion as it takes steps to win approval of its proposed merger with Tribune Media. Preliminary bids for the stations were submitted the week of Oct 9. Sinclair may sell some or all of the outlets, all in different markets, apparently. The process could be delayed by uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump’s appointees will change rules limiting media ownership and how the administration will enforce antitrust laws. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has told an opponent of the Sinclair-Tribune deal that the agency may review media ownership rules before ruling on the $3.9 billion transaction.

Poll: Republicans Back Power to Pull News Media 'Licenses'

According to a new Morning Consult/Politico Poll, 46 percent of respondents said they thought the news media fabricated stories about President Donald Trump or his administration, compared with 37 percent who said they did not. A majority (51%) said the government should not have the power to revoke broadcast licenses of major news organizations, versus 28% who said yes (the rest had no opinion). But more Republicans think it should (46%) than should not (33%). The online poll was conducted Oct. 12-16 among 1,991 registered voters.

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