WASHINGTON, DC - Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and committee member Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) today sent a letter to the nonpartisan watchdog Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking them to examine the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) set-top box proposal.
In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress asked the FCC to promote a competitive marketplace for unaffiliated set-top boxes. The FCC recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on numerous changes to set-top box rules. However, the FCC’s proposal has raised various concerns and as Commissioner Pai put it, “the FCC’s doubling down on 1990s technology."
Walden and Clarke write, “We are concerned that the agency’s efforts do not include a meaningful assessment of the effects on independent and diverse networks, whose business models may be greatly threatened and undermined by the FCC’s proposed rules. The FCC must proceed with a better understanding of how their proposed rules could limit diversity and inclusion on our nation’s shared media platforms."
They continued, “We are requesting that the U.S. Government Accountability Office examine the impact of the FCC’s proposal to change the rules regarding cable set top boxes on small, independent, and multicultural media programmers and content providers." Related Items
* Letter to GAO Regarding FCC's Set-Top Box Proposal
See Also
* Letter to GAO Regarding FCC's Set-Top Box Proposal
