January 2019

‘Crazed lunatics’: President Trump again attacks the news media as ‘the enemy of the people’

President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on the news media, writing in tweets that it consists of many “crazed lunatics,” and he again invoked the derogatory term “enemy of the people.” “With all of the success that our Country is having, including the just released jobs numbers which are off the charts, the Fake News & totally dishonest Media concerning me and my presidency has never been worse,” President Trump said in the first of the tweets.

CES 2019: Tech show isn’t immune from government shutdown

The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show is revving up in Las Vegas (NV), but even technology’s biggest trade event isn’t immune to the effects of the partial government shutdown. Organizers said that several scheduled government speakers have canceled their travel plans. These include Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and at least nine other federal officials. Transportation Sec Elaine Chao is still planning to deliver a keynote talk Jan 9 on federal initiatives to advance drone technology and self-driving vehicles.

Former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Joins Benton Foundation

Benton Foundation Executive Director Adrianne B. Furniss announced that former Federal Communications Commissioner and Acting Chair Mignon L. Clyburn has joined the foundation’s Board of Directors effective January 1, 2019. 

Nominated by President Barack Obama, Clyburn served as an FCC Commissioner from August 2009 until June 2018, and as Acting FCC Chair from May 20, 2013 through November 4, 2013. While at the FCC, Clyburn was a champion of diversity in media ownership, an advocate for the reform of Inmate Calling Services, and a staunch defender of a free and open internet.