It goes by “GN Docket No. 10-25.”
Pure federalese that on its face sounds boring enough, and perhaps even benign.
But behind that shorthand lays a headline heralding a federal government “examination of the future of media and information needs of communities in a digital age.”
Announcing its “The Future of Media” study, the Federal Communications Commission promised “a clear, precise assessment of the current media landscape,” complete with an analysis of policy options and, “as appropriate,” policy recommendations not only for FCC but also for “other government entities and other parties.”
It stopped short of saying, “I’m the government, and I’m here to help you.”
The FCC announcement pointed to “layoffs of thousands of journalists” and growing concerns of “fewer ‘informed communities.’” It pointed to a number of independent journalism assessments raising concerns over “accountability journalism, particularly local accountability journalism” and cautioned of “dire consequences for our democracy and the health of communities, hindering citizens’ ability to hold their leaders and institutions accountable.”
FCC pointed to a time of “great risk” but also of “significant opportunity” and emphasized that “in sorting through these trends, the starting point is the First Amendment” so dear to independent journalism.
“Any time the government reviews the structure of the news media, it must do so with great sensitivity to the paramount need to protect free speech and an independent press,” the agency said. It therefore will start from the premise that “many of the challenges” facing the news media “will be addressed by the private for-profit and non-profit sectors, without government intervention.” The agency pledged to be guided by the Hippocratic Oath plea to “First, do no harm.”
FCC put out an extensive set of 42 questions on which it is seeking public input, by March 8. Its Future of Media website provides much more information on the important, timely, and certain to be closely-watched analysis.