FCC: The Issues

For most people seeking information, the FCC issues are generally divided into two categories: consumer issues and media policy relating to mass media and information distribution.

Consumer Issues

You can learn about consumer issues in a number of ways. Media Access Project doesn’t work on telecommunications issues relating to pricing and other consumer issues, but there are other groups who do. The Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, and TRAC all have resources to learn about consumer issues.

The FCC also has many resources to help consumers learn about the issues. Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau has a wide variety of links to resources on learning about issues and how to get involved.

• FAQ’s for Consumers
• Consumer Alerts and Factsheets
• Media Issues

Not just the FCC regulates telephone and cable — many states and localities are also responsible for regulating these services. Many questions and complaints about local phone service can best be handled by the telecommunications regulatory authority in your state. You may wish to contact them to determine what assistance they can offer first.

Other consumer groups that help with local and state regulation:

• National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
• National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates

The FCC also has many resources to help consumers who believe they have been defrauded or have a complaint. You can file a complaint with the FCC through the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

Media Policy

There are many ways to learn about issues concerning media policy. One way is to review and read media. Good sources for learning about the issues on media policy are major newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The LA Times, San Jose Mercury News, and your local paper. Trade publications also cover the media and regulatory policy in more detail, such as: Broadcasting & Cable Magazine, Communications Daily, Electronic Media, and Current. The Columbia Journalism Review also has information on media issues.

A number of groups also have excellent resources for citizens on their websites about the issues relating to telecommunications and media policy.

• Media Access Project
• Media Channel
• Center for Digital Democracy
• New America Foundation
• Free Press
• Consumers Union
• Common Cause
• Future of Music Coalition
• Center For Social Media

The FCC also has a number of resources for learning about the issues.

• Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
• Media Bureau
• FCC Headlines
• FCC Search Tools
• Updates and Releases by FCC
• Current Commission Agenda

The FCC also provides worldwide access via the Internet to live and pre-recorded broadcasts of selected FCC events through streaming.

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