FCC's O’Rielly: How Can We Can Make Your Life Easier?

Michael O'Rielly

Commissioner Michael O’Rielly says he’s been trying to reduce the regulatory burden on broadcasters but that not enough have taken advantage of the opportunity. So, according to RadioWorld, he wants state associations to step up with ideas.

Speaking to the National Association of Broadcasters’ State Leadership Conference in Washington, O’Rielly said the FCC needs to hear ways to reduce specific burdens imposed on the industry that are no longer necessary or relevant. “To argue that you should be weighed down by regulations that are past their prime, raise your costs, and keep you from adapting to the future is wrong and unwarranted,” he said, according to an FCC copy of his prepared remarks.

“I’ve asked this of broadcasters before but the response has been somewhat underwhelming,” he continued. “So today, I’m challenging the state associations to bring forward a top 10 list of small-to-medium range items to modernize commission regulations of your industry. Work collectively with other states or individually, but please don’t sweep this golden opportunity aside. How often do you have one of the five FCC commissioners ask how to make your life easier?”

He also said radio can expect to see some more FCC activity on pirate radio soon.

Tommy McFly

Some 500 broadcasters from radio and TV, including the executive directors of all state broadcaster associations, made the trek to Washington for the conference. The annual event, which began Monday and concludes Wednesday, is equal parts education and advocacy. On Tuesday, the NAB brought broadcasters up to speed on hot button issues. For radio that’s the threat of proposed performance royalty legislation, the FCC’s AM revitalization initiative and the pirate radio scourge.

InsideRadio reports in a first, CBS Radio HotAC WIAD 94.7 FM  Washington morning man Tommy McFly MC-ed the event, keeping things lively as broadcasters heard speeches from Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and FCC commissioner Michael O’Rielly. NAB CEO Gordon Smith moderated a discussion with political pundits on how the presidential race might impact Congress.

On Wednesday, state broadcast delegations head up to the Hill to meet with their local elected officials and key staffers to talk about “the importance of preserving our place on the communications landscape,” NAB executive VP of communications Dennis Wharton told InsideRadio. The goal is to get face time with all 535 House members or their key staffers “to present a united front by the broadcast industry in Washington on one day of the year.”