Obama's FCC Pick Another Good Sign for Open Media

As anticipated, Julius Genachowski has been tapped by President Barack Obama to head the Federal Communications Commission.

The move is another indication that incoming leadership in Washington will move decisively to protect the free flowing Internet from those seeking to become gatekeepers to new media.

It also fulfills Obama's promise made on the campaign trail to appoint an FCC chair who shares his support for Net Neutrality.

Genachowski

If confirmed by Senate, Genachowski would replace Kevin Martin, who left the agency the day Obama came into office. He brings two decades of experience from both the industry and policy side, having served as a top-executive in IT and venture capital firms and as former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt's chief legal counsel.

Genachowski also anchored the drafting of Obama's comprehensive media policy agenda that promotes fast and neutral Internet connections, and more competitive choices for the consumer.

"It is clear that he understands the importance of open networks and a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and competition to a robust democracy and a healthy economy," said Gigi Sohn of Public Knowledge.

Net Neutrality Momentum

With Genachowski's nomination, the pieces are falling into place for strong Net Neutrality protections under the new administration.

Written into the DNA of President Obama economic stimulus is the requirement that those who build Internet networks (using the nearly $4.7 billion in NTIA grants provided by the legislation) adhere to the nondiscrimination and openness principles at the core of Net Neutrality.

Obama's goals for the FCC

Obama himself pledged to "take a back seat to no one" in his commitment to Net Neutrality. And the administration's technology policies now posted on the White House Web site list Net Neutrality as the top priority.

Also, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) announced last month that he will lead the influential Senate Commerce subcommittee on communications and technology.

Kerry is a longtime supporter of Net Neutrality, who wrote to SavetheInternet.com activists that "Net Neutrality and internet build-out are crucial to building a more modern and fair Information Society."

New v. Old, Open v. Closed

Genachowski will play a central role during a unique time in media history.

Open Internet supporters on the Hill, in the White House and at the FCC are facing off against industry interests who often wield their influence over communications policy to lock down new media innovation and protect their media fiefdoms.

Through a combination of forces -- including remarkable developments in technology, surging user ingenuity, industry turmoil and policy mistakes -- old and new media have arrived at a volatile moment.

It's a conflict that pits new ideas about grassroots and decentralized communications against old ideologies about top-down information control.

The decisions made in the next few years by Genachowski, Obama and their Washington allies will determine the outcome.

His appointment should give open Internet supporters confidence that we're on the right track.

Comments

[CherokeeGirl]

The internet seems open enough to me. What I'm interested in is the FCC returning television media to the times when they weren't owned by corporations, and no one person could have a monopoly on information. I'm talking about Rupert Murdochs' News Corp, which includes Fox News.

This really needs to stop now. We need News to educate the people WITH FACTS, not Rush and Oh the Humanity Hannitys' lies and hate.

STOP THE MEDIA MONOPOLY NOW!
after all...it almost cost us the country...missed it by THAT MUCH

[Maxamillion]

The Fairness Doctrine is anything but fair.
Beware what you ask for---as the Fairness Doctrine will work in both directions. Do you really want some conservative hack refuting everything spouted forth from Olberman?
Conservative talk Shows on AM Radio exist for one reason---people listen to them--thus advertisers pay to put their product on that venue. Bottom line: If you don't like what is said on a particular show---change the bloody station!

[Robert Zachary]

40 years of "minority ownership of electronic media" is gonna end now?? I have some beachfront land for sale in the Mojave!!

[lynettema]

The Right Wing controls radio and television and newsprint. The Internet is all we have. We have to fight for it. They can't get that, too.

[Chavez08]

I hope Obama doesn't make it too fair, it's already hard to find right-wing radio shows on more than 12 AM stations driving through Iowa or Western Michigan. If we aren't careful, an Air America syndication might be heard for more than 3 square miles somewhere.

Stay vigilant, bankers!!

[lynettema]

I'm from Iowa. I know what you mean. But it's pretty much the same all the way to Florida. Get Serius/XM. We love it.

[kwalters]

Net Neutrality is great. Given the Democratic executive and legislative branches...net neutrality is safe for now.

That said...there are more important issues for the FCC to get busy with. For instance:

TIME TO BREAK UP POWERFUL RADIO OLIGOPOLIES where right wing hosts spout republican talking points (LIES), influencing people to vote against their own best interests while claiming to be "entertainers".

It ought to be illegal to own more than 1 AM and 1 FM station in a single market...PERIOD!

[jegenes]

Whatever happend to the Fairness Doctrine? Was it really so bad? It seems that after Reagan ditched it, Rush, Hannity and their ilk have simply taken over. They make no bones about telling the truth. They boldly declare that they're "entertainers" and as such, are not required to tell the truth. The fact is, they're correct. They DON'T have to tell the truth, or even pretend to.
I agree with "lgillooly" and those here who say the media (radio & TV) is the true insidious problem we have to face. Without checks and balances in the media system, it soon becomes propaganda. Propaganda becomes facism. Eventually, facism becomes "truth".

[NonLeftist]

Exactly why the Fairness Doctrine was wrong as well as unconstitutional. Once the government mandates what can be broadcast, it becomes propoganda. Hugo Chavez is doing this in his country. He wants to identify the broadcast companies not owned by the state so he can take away the opposition.

[SocialistPig]

Nowhere do you mention that Mr. Genachowski raised $500,000 for Obama's campaign.
Is that something that you want to keep secret?
Did it affect Obama's choice? It sounds like it was bought. Perception is everything.

If he attempts to stifle broadcast freedom on the AM dial, he will meet a whirlwind of opposition.

[zippywpinhead]

what a cute little dittohead

bringing up the fairness doctrine red herring like a good little trained minion...

[SocialistPig]

Yes, I am cute.
Thanks z--PINHEAD!

[lgillooly]

Net Neutrality is important, but the talk radio monopoly is a far more serious problem that must be dealt with. Talk radio is unique in 3 ways.1. It is passive. 2.the talking points are repeated and repeated over and over starting with Rush and Hannity and then spreading out to 100's of local parroting right wing shows. 3. It saturates the message throughout the country.
Let the big national shows like Rush and Hannity do their thing,but we have to break up the monopoly of the 100's or maybe 1000's of RNCorp local programs.
Hitler once said you not only have to control the message,but must have the ability to repeat and repeat and repeat over and over until it becomes the truth.
4 talk radio myths that have become the truth
The Republican Party 1. supports the troops 2. They are the fiscal conservatives 3. They are the Pro Life Party. and 4. The media is liberally biased.
Facts prove otherwise,but the power of passivity, repetition and saturation that ONLY talk radio has takes facts out of the equation and utilizes doublespeak propaganda.
A Democracy must have diversification and honest debate. Without it they will do what they did to President Clinton and possibly more. Also, the hateful rhetoric is escalating rapidly.

[DrBillo1]

rush and his twisted friends will be so happy!!

[kepary]

maybe we'll get to hear the F word on tv and radio

[stryker]

Maybe a nano-second of Janet jackson's boob will no longer be considered a national calamity.

[stiv53]

Thank God. Open media must mean the continuance of Free Speech on AM radio.