Minority ownership of broadcast facilities

McCalip, Bernevia M. (Author)

1987

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

In James Steele vs. FCC, 770 F. 2d 1192 (D.C. Circ. 1985), which involved the award of a broadcast license to a woman using in part a preference system that allowed the Commission to award the license despite the existence of a competing application from a more broadcast-experienced male, a Federal appeals court in a two-to-one ruling in August 1985, struck down preferences for women in awarding FCC licenses. This report reviews the event that led to the FCC's original decision to implement a minority preference system in awarding broadcast licenses, and summarizes chronologically FCC policies and rules that have been implemented since then to increase minority ownership. An assessment of the effects such policies and rules have had on minority broadcast ownership is also provided. This is followed by a discussion of congressional reaction to the FCC's position on preferences and legislative initiatives that have been introduced to date in support of diversifying ownership of broadcast facilities.

Background -- Federal Communications Commission's Minority Policies and Rules. Tax Certificates and Distress Sale Policies ; Financial Qualifications Standard ; Minority Buyer's List ; Minority Ownership Policy ; Lottery System for Awarding Licenses ; Multiple Ownership Rules ; New FM Channels ; AM Station Assignment Standards -- Effectiveness of FCC's Minority Ownership Polices and Rules -- Assessing the Effectiveness of FCC's Policies on Minority Broadcast Ownership -- Congressional Reaction to the FCC's Position on Preferences.

Bernevia M. McCalip, Analyst in Business and Government Relations, Economics Division

CRS 87-273 E

"March 27, 1987."

SuDoc# 14. 18/3

eng

1987-01-01T00:00:00Z

12 pages

book

text