Topic: FCC

Obama's FCC Pick Has Some Surprising Allies

AP

Tom Wheeler is set to become America's next top telecom regulator, and the fear among critics is that Wheeler's ties to big business could threaten consumers. But in fact, the battle lines on Wheeler's confirmation process aren't hardening in a predictable way at all.

By Adam Clark Estes

Mar 21, 2013

FCC Chairman's Resignation Gives Obama One Last Chance to Diversify His Administration

Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Julius Genachowski will announce his resignation on Friday, according to unnamed sources, and the hunt for his replacement is well underway.

Comments | 519 Views

By Richard Lawson

Feb 6, 2013

Here's a Hilariously Grotesque Email from Network Standards & Practices

Every broadcast network has a Standards & Practices department. They're the fussy worrywarts who stringently enforce FCC rules about indecency — sexy stuff, swears, maybe violence. Basically they regulate all the fun stuff. But just how specific and needling are they?

Comments | 21,037 Views

By Cora Currier, ProPublica

Dec 3, 2012

Cellphone Companies Are Ignoring the Rules of Natural Disaster

The carriers instead insist that emergency standards should be voluntary, an approach the Federal Communications Commission has gone along with.

Comments | 2,403 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Oct 31, 2012

Where You're Not Likely to Get Cell Service Because of Sandy

It's hard to tell exactly where the cell phone outages are happening without exact information from the wireless companies, but because of the way cell phone technology works, we know that the densest areas with the most power outages and the worst weather damage—i.e., downtown Manhattan—are where cell service is hurting the most.

Comments | 298 Views

By John Hudson

Jun 21, 2012

Supreme Court OKs Bono's Famous F-Bomb

In the word's of Bono, the Supreme Court's ruling on FCC v. Fox was "effing brilliant!" Today, the Supreme Court thew out fines against Fox and other broadcasters by the Federal Communications Commission for fleeting expletives or nudity on TV. Meanwhile, its much anticipated Obamacare ruling won't be coming down today.

Comments | 714 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 28, 2012

Rogue Google Engineer Tried to Steal Your Information

A "rogue engineer" was responsible for writing the code that made Google's Street View cars collect personal information over unprotected wireless networks, according to a new report. 

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Justin Elliott, ProPublica

Apr 20, 2012

Way Too Many Media Companies Are Lobbying Against Transparency

Many of the country’s biggest media companies — which own dozens of newspapers and TV news operations — are flexing their muscle in Washington in a fight against a government initiative to increase transparency of political spending.

Comments | 2,242 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Dec 14, 2011

Carrier IQ's Fighting Off Multiple Federal Investigations

Just two weeks, practically nobody knew what Carrier IQ was, but thanks to a viral YouTube video showing evidence that the company's software was logging keystrokes on smartphones, a growing list of federal agencies are opening investigations.

Comments | 825 Views

By Eric Randall

Dec 13, 2011

The FCC Turns the Volume Down on Blaring TV Commercials

The Federal Communications Commission is bound to get good reviews today after it voted to require cable operators and TV stations to keep TV commercials from being louder than the programs during which they air. 

Comments | 414 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Dec 5, 2011

The FCC Uses the Term 'News' Loosely

Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show, Anderson, which recently featured segments such as "Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong" and "Hoarders & How to Free Your Life From Clutter," is one of the newsier shows the FCC has ruled a bona fide news program. 

Comments | 474 Views

By John Hudson

Aug 29, 2011

Get to Know Twitter's New Lobbying Powerhouse

Twitter hires "one of the most influential tech policy operatives you've never heard of"

Comments | 1,636 Views

By John Hudson

Jun 27, 2011

Supreme Court to Review FCC's F-Bomb Policy

It could be the final say on whether TV networks can curse and show bare butts

Comments | 393 Views

By John Hudson

Jun 3, 2011

Strange Bedfellows

Why a Gay Rights Group Is Endorsing AT&T's Mega Merger

The president of GLAAD urges the FCC to approve the T-Mobile acquisition. But why?

Comments | 3,911 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

May 31, 2011

Sprint Attempts to Stonewall AT&T and T-Mobile Deal

The third place mobile company says the merger won't add value to consumers

Comments | 1,506 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

May 11, 2011

FCC Commissioner Steps Down to Watch Out for Comcast's Interests

According to the press release, she' got "the perfect set of skills" to be a lobbyist

Comments | 793 Views

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App