3 ms·

I could see why someone might be confused in the Mayer of what the FCC can regulate, considering that it regulates the content of television and radio broadcast

I could see why someone might be confused in the Mayer of what the FCC can regulate, considering that it regulates the content of television and radio broadcasts and somehow regulates cable TV providers, despite the use of wired connections to customers, instead of radio transmissions.

kelnos 7mo ago
Where in the Federal Communications Commission's governing legislation does it say that they're only allowed to regulate things sent through the airwaves?
- rayiner 7mo ago
  It applies to communications over radio or wire: “The provisions of this act shall apply to all interstate and foreign communication by wire or radio and all interstate and foreign transmission of energy by radio, which originates and/or is received within the United States, and to all persons engaged within the United States in such communication or such transmission of energy by radio, and to the licensing and regulating of all radio stations as hereinafter provided…”
  - kelnos 7mo ago
    That's from the 1934 Communications Act. You're sure nothing has changed legislatively about the FCC in 92 years?
kevin_thibedeau 7mo ago
> somehow regulates cable TV providers, despite the use of wired connections They regulate broadcast TV. Those rules leak into cable TV because the originators generally want content that can be sold for broadcast in the future and is advertiser friendly. Cable operators are also often beholden to community standards imposed by municipalities they serve. The FCC isn't responsible for content restrictions on cable.
vel0city 7mo ago
> despite the use of wired connections to customers, instead of radio transmissions. The FCC also regulates interstate wire transmissions. But ultimately, you're not quite getting it right. It's all RF, it's just that we sometimes choose a really shitty wire called "the atmosphere".

kelnos 7mo ago

Where in the Federal Communications Commission's governing legislation does it say that they're only allowed to regulate things sent through the airwaves?

rayiner 7mo ago
It applies to communications over radio or wire: “The provisions of this act shall apply to all interstate and foreign communication by wire or radio and all interstate and foreign transmission of energy by radio, which originates and/or is received within the United States, and to all persons engaged within the United States in such communication or such transmission of energy by radio, and to the licensing and regulating of all radio stations as hereinafter provided…”
- kelnos 7mo ago
  That's from the 1934 Communications Act. You're sure nothing has changed legislatively about the FCC in 92 years?

kevin_thibedeau 7mo ago

> somehow regulates cable TV providers, despite the use of wired connections They regulate broadcast TV. Those rules leak into cable TV because the originators generally want content that can be sold for broadcast in the future and is advertiser friendly. Cable operators are also often beholden to community standards imposed by municipalities they serve. The FCC isn't responsible for content restrictions on cable.

vel0city 7mo ago

> despite the use of wired connections to customers, instead of radio transmissions. The FCC also regulates interstate wire transmissions. But ultimately, you're not quite getting it right. It's all RF, it's just that we sometimes choose a really shitty wire called "the atmosphere".