Last week saw the release of the FCC’s report “Information Needs of Communities.” The report analyzes the current state of the media and concludes that “with the media landscape shifiting as fast as it has been, some current regulations are out of sync with the information needs of communities and the fluid nature of modern local medda markets.” Additionally, the report makes several specific policy recommendations aimed at helping to reduce the cost of reporting, enabling consumers, improving the media markets, removing obstacles to innovation, and ensuring taxpayer resources are well used.
The six broad recommendations from the report are:
1.) Information required by FCC policy to be disclosed to the public should, over time, be available online.
2.) Greater government transparency will enable both citizens and reporters to more effectively monitor powerful institutions and benefit from public services.
3.) Existing government advertising spending should be targeted more toward local media.
4.) Nonprofit media needs to develop more sustainable business models, especially through private donations.
5.) Universal broadband and an open Internet are essential prerequisites for ensuring that the new media landscape serves communities well.
6.) Policymakers should take historically underserved communitites into account when crafting strategies and rules.
While the report highlights gaps in local, community reported news, it also acknowledges the vast number of outlets and their continued exploration of business models. The report’s conclusion:
“the gaps are quite important, but they are fixable. In other words, we find ourselves in an unusual moment when ignoring the ailments of local media will mean that serious harm may be done to our communities – but paying attention to them will enable Americans to develop, literally, the best media system the nation has ever had.”
It remains to be seen what will become of the report, or the recommendations. But there’s no question that the media landscape is shifting rapidly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. On behalf of our members and then industry, SIIA will continue to monitor the policy proposals and developments throughout this proces.