L. Jacqueline Gillard’s Post

The day when Republicans, and especially Trump, goes after Fox and other avowedly hard-right conservative broadcast owners for editorial decisions they make in presenting "news", then I'll consider the "public interest" argument. Yes, cable networks are not subject to the kind of regulation allowable under the "public airwaves" theory, but intentional lies and distortions are what they are and if a selective use of "public interest" is used to threaten the licenses of broadcasters Trump selects, then we no longer living in even a sham democracy. Let the FCC under Carr reimpose the "Fairness Doctrine" and let Congress let it stand, and maybe America can restore a bit of integrity to reporting and political coverage across the political and broadcast spectrum; as it should be. https://lnkd.in/eccsGHgX

With a general election now called, here in the UK many broadcasters and politicians are rallying behind the media bill to hurry it through parliament. Representatives from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C, STV Group plc, Sky, MG ALBA, and ITN all signed a statement urging politicians to pass the media bill before a change of government. The bill is essential in ensuring domestic broadcasters of TV and Radio here in the UK can remain competitive, holding the big streamers to the same standards as the broadcasters, whilst also ensuring all provide an accessible service that caters for the people. Further reading: https://lnkd.in/eS2Aws-M This bill is hugely important for the future of domestic programming, and if calling a general election is what it takes to speed important legislation through parliament, perhaps we should do it more often. #streaming #ott #media

If you’ve been following C-18, the Online News Act, Michael Geist writes in his blog today that Google is considering two different proposals for the single collective to administer the projected $500 million it will contribute over the next 5 years. A glimpse into the rooms where this is happening now, with a decision to be made by June 17. Transparency, representation, and capacity to adapt to change are all at play - important questions we should be asking of all policy-making and the processes built into it.

If you've worked in the broadcasting or advertising industries, you'd immediately know the SNL skit last night was a red flag: Featuring a political candidate in a broadcast when others are not afforded equal time violates FCC regulations. This can be prosecuted, and since the damage is done and there is no equal time left to give, one would expect an outcome that is both swift and excruciating for the violator, in this case, CNBC. As many know, election integrity and trust in media are major issues today. So, why would NBC do such a thing? Several likely reasons come to mind: 1. They simply don't care about the consequences at any cost. 2. The consequences in terms of fines are too small; there is low chance of suspension; and / or there is low probability any consequences will be inflicted at all. 3. NBC believes it is in a morally superior position to rules and regulations. https://lnkd.in/eNqftFte

In business, when your customers stop buying what you are sellling, either restructure your company (with great management changes) or you go out of business. This will apply to the corrupt media.

https://lnkd.in/diKbpNhg Trump vs. Media Moves Back to the White House President-elect has sued some networks and threatened broadcast licenses; executives brace for possible deal drama By Joe Flint and Drew FitzGerald Nov. 14, 2024 5:30 am ET Donald Trump has filed lawsuits against Disney’s ABC and Paramount Global’s PARA - CBS, railed against “fake” and “failing” news organizations, and called for the government to revoke some broadcasters’ licenses. Now, he will be bringing those grudges back to the White House. The question is whether Trump will stay in the realm of verbal attacks against news organizations and personalities—or extend into regulatory action. 

France’s far-right threatens to privatise public media The far-right National Rally has pledged to privatise public television and radio in France if it wins a majority in the country’s snap parliamentary election, a deeply concerning threat. The Public Media Alliance finds any move to threaten or privatise public media in France deeply disturbing. A well-resourced, independent, and impartial public media that is owned by and accountable to the public is a vital part of any democracy, as shown by the high levels of trust the public have in them. Any such move would add to the worrying attacks on public media being seen across Europe. https://lnkd.in/gBbquzyZ

My recent piece on the finances of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.: A long-term look at the CBC’s numbers reveals the awkward balance between private-sector sources of revenue, which are falling, and the government subsidy, which is rising. To analyze the financial state of the CBC, The Globe and Mail reviewed more than two dozen annual and quarterly financial reports from the corporation, as well as federal data from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. 

President-elect #DonaldTrump's choice of Brendan Carr to lead the Federal Communications Commission is raising red flags among groups that advocate for a free press and consumer protections. Carr is currently the top Republican on the Federal Communications Commission. Craig Aaron, president of Free Press, a national public interest group that acts as an FCC watchdog, said Carr has already refused to condemn Mr. Trump's calls to pull the broadcast license of the ABC television network. "That should be an easy question for an FCC chair to answer: Are you going to go after ABC's broadcast license because they fact-checked the debate? The correct answer is, 'No, that's ridiculous,'" Aaron stressed. "And what Brendan Carr essentially said testifying in Congress was, 'Well, I'd have to look at it.' That's not the answer you want." The FCC regulates radio, television and cable communications, so its decisions have big implications for Californians, and all Americans. Carr also wrote the Project 2025 chapter on media issues, saying the FCC should rein in big tech, promote national security and emphasize prosperity and FCC accountability. Under President Joe Biden, the FCC has strengthened consumer protections and approved net neutrality rules. Aaron worries protections will go out the window and fears the FCC will change the rules to allow mega-mergers of media companies. "If you just allow the cronies of the administration to buy up these local TV stations, networks, infrastructure, then that's another way you can take control," Aaron contended. "And Brendan Carr's never met a media merger he didn't like." The position of FCC chair does not require Senate confirmation, so Carr is likely to be appointed. However, any future vacancies would require Senate approval.

Media is getting a BIG overhaul, and NPR is (most likely) soon on the chopping block. "I speak not from ignorance or disdain but from disappointment. I once supported my local public broadcasting station. I contributed to my PBS affiliate, valuing the balance and thoughtfulness that public broadcasting promised. But that promise has been broken. Now, each time I tune in, I’m met with bias, with narrative-driven content that caters not to truth but to ideology. The federal government should not be in the business of funding media—especially not media that functions as an arm of a single political faction. The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 had its moment in history, and it served its purpose. But times have changed, and so must we. Public broadcasting as we know it today is unworthy of the American taxpayer’s dollar. Let the marketplace decide its fate." #media #news #npr #federalgovernment #taxes #tax #bias https://lnkd.in/g_Aybg9Y