ABSTRACT
This term includes many technologies including radio, television, subscription cable, satellite television and radio, and the Internet. Legal regulation of the transmission of information is important due to the limitation of frequencies available and the possibility of interference between transmitters. Government agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), can control the number and content of material transmitted through the licensing process. Because broadcasters are licensed to serve the public interest, it is the responsibility of the FCC to ensure that stations abide by the Communications Act and FCC rules and policies. In general these rules cover a variety of issues including advertising, obscenity, payola, and fraud. Furthermore, the FCC limits individuals or corporations from acquiring a certain number of stations. This policy (originally mandated by Congress through the now-defunct “fairness doctrine”) provides an opportunity for the presentation of a diverse range of viewpoints over the airwaves and protects individuals from personal attack and political editorializing.
