Diversity Committee Has Big Issue with FCC Incubator Program

August 21, 2018

Key leadership of the FCC's Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) have a big problem with the way the FCC has structured the new diversity incubator program they otherwise support, a problem they say could "destroy" the program. That warning came in a call last week between committee members James Winston and David Honig and Matthew Berry, chief of staff to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. They said they were also speaking on behalf of Broadcast Development Working Group Chair Henry Rivera, committee chair Diane Sutter, and committee member DuJuan McCoy. The FCC Aug. 2 adopted a report and order (a final decision) establishing a framework for an incubator program that will grant existing radio stations media regulatory relief if they successfully help minority or female owners to buy a full-power station, or put struggling owners on firmer footing--it only applies to radio at the outset but could be transitioned to TV.

Read more at Broadcasting and Cable

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