What is the Communications Act of 1934?

What is the Communications Act of 1934?

Written and passed during FDR’s first term, the Communications Act of 1934 consolidated existing radio, television, and telephone regulations and created the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to oversee all interstate and foreign communications. It was intended to streamline the regulatory process and expand affordable access to communication services.

The bill also established regulatory standards for various types of communications, including Title I services, which are subject to looser restrictions, and Title II services, which fall under more rigorous “common carrier” rules intended to protect equal access to these networks.

What’s the significance?

As communications networks came to occupy a more prominent role in American society, the FCC’s influence grew along with them. Throughout its history, it has often provoked controversy due to its efforts to police obscene content, which some see as a violation of free speech. In 1996, the Telecommunications Act amended the 1934 law in an attempt to bring it up to date with modern technology. However, critics noted that the new law also weakened ownership rules designed to prevent the growth of telecom monopolies.

Currently the FCC is at the center of the debate over net neutrality. In 2002, it ruled that most forms of broadband Internet access did not qualify as telecommunications services, and were therefore not subject to Title II’s common carrier regulations. Supporters of net neutrality, who believe that the Internet must be kept free and equally accessible to everyone, argue that the FCC should establish new regulations to include broadband Internet services or that Congress should pass another law to expand the FCC’s authority.

Who’s talking about it?

Sarah Nathan explains how the regulations established in 1934 led to the current battle over net neutrality… Leslie Harris argues that the current limits on the FCC’s jurisdiction are an anachronism… The Boston Globe editorial board urges the FCC to rewrite its rules to include oversight of broadband Internet access… Adam Cohen reminds us that the 1934 law grants the president the power to shut down all communications (including the Internet!) in a time of war.