Sunday, December 1, 2013
Effects of the Telecommunications Policy of 1996 (due by section meeting Wed.)
Discuss one or more of the major effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 on technology, content, or industrial policy. Why do you think the FCC enforced more regulation on content at the same time that they ushered in less regulation on media corporations?
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When the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was released, media corporations saw a decrease in less regulation on them, while at the same time, content and policies received more restrictions as to what could be placed on television screens and broadcast to audiences. I believe the FCC enforced more regulations on content because television was evolving into such a powerful medium. From the growing economy, and new technological equipment, television had become one of the most powerful tools in that era and still remains today. With so many channels, programs, and shows airing, there had to be some sort of “rules” that everyone had to abide by just to keep the networks from creating controversy. In addition to this, I know that FOX was becoming a huge network and there had to be some kind of regulations placed on them as well. Since the networks were purchasing smaller affiliates and channels, there had to be a limit on the material and genres covered on television.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, media corporations saw less regulations by the policy act. I think this was done because since there were so many rules on the content, the corporations had so little “free room” to create new programs so the policy act allowed them to work with what they had left. I think the Telecommunications Policy of 1996 was beneficial to both consumers and viewers and it overall allowed a fair balance of programs and network collaborations leading into the 2000s.
In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, many new laws created new technologies were promoted as well as deregulated. The cross-ownership of businesses was allowed so companies could invest in others in order to make an even larger profit throughout the year, especially as the ownership caps were increased. Digital television was coming to the forefront of the medium, and new frequencies were assigned, creating even more access for different networks to take over channels. These new technologies were allowing the television medium to expand and reach more outlets than ever before, which is why I think that the FCC had less regulation on media corporations. With the new restrictions on content from the Telecommunications Act, the corporations still needed a little wiggle room to make new content to make a profit and keep viewers at home happy. These content restrictions included the new ratings system for films, regulation of pornographic material on the Internet, and local stations that had to carry certain programming. Television was becoming such a broad and powerful medium that the FCC was afraid that it may have too much of an influence on viewers at home. The FCC did not want to deal with controversial shows on the air or the networks showing inappropriate programs. Overall, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was important for bringing a balance to programming in television as well as bringing in new technology to expand their horizons.
ReplyDeleteBeing the first major overhaul of telecommunications in 60 years, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 had some major ground to cover. The overall goal of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was to open competition by removing barriers to entry. This was in order to facilitate a move from a more monopolized medium into a more competitive one. This therefore created an emphasis on interconnectedness. The current carriers would have to interconnect with the new entrants under the new act.
ReplyDeleteThe act also accounted for the changing technologies, namely digital television and the internet.