A Trump FCC and Pirate Radio: Prepare for Struggle

[John Poet]

A Trump FCC and Pirate Radio: Prepare for Struggle
By John Anderson

The United States is still trying to come to grips that it has elected a proto-fascist as its next chief executive. With the Republican Party in firm control of the legislature and the ability to shape the judiciary for the next several decades, lobbyists of all stripes are drooling at the prospects of a bona-fide kleptocracy.

Of all the things expected to be decimated in the Trump era, media and communications policy are among them. Others have already written about the potential for a GOP-run Trump FCC to undo several years’ worth of media reform efforts, such as network neutrality, media ownership limits, and many other things. We still don’t know who Trump may nominate to chair the Commission, though there’s talk that one of the two sitting GOP Commissioners may get the nod.

Neither will be good: Ajit Pai is a trenchant disciple of neoliberal economic theory, and pretty much sees all regulation as bad regulation; Mike O’Rielly, who helped write the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (though tellingly does not crow about it), is pretty much the same. But O’Rielly’s crusade to eliminate unlicensed broadcasting from the nation’s airwaves has gotten a significant boost with this election.

In the short-term, it’s unlikely that current FCC leadership will take any significant actions against pirate stations, and might even further deprioritize broadcast license-enforcement efforts during this lame-duck period. When the Trump administration takes over, it’ll inherit an agency bereft of meaningful operational revenue and adequate staff, demoralized and generally seeking to preserve their own rice-bowls. Many at or near retirement-age may see this as a good time to leave, further decimcating the agency’s institutional knowledge.

But what we can’t know is what the influx of Trumpsters into staff and management positions at the agency will do to the interpretation and execution of media policy. On the unlicensed broadcast front, here are some possible things to watch out for.

The first is the unabashed criminalization of unlicensed broadcasting.

Read more: 
http://diymedia.net/a-trump-fcc-and-pirate-radio-prepare-for-struggle/8617#more-8617

[Pigmeat]

Sounds bigly, and I'm not talking about Artie.

[redhat]

I seriously doubt much will change.  The commission is strapped for cash, and as such the 'Trump Action Plan' calls for more de-regulation which likely will mean that the commission will have to continue its efforts to cut budgets and costs.  I applaud these efforts, but I wish they would pay more attention to whats going on in the commercial side.  This whole HD translator debacle is devaluing both the AM and FM bands by increasing interference and lack of diversity in the name of more one-size-fits-all corporate formats from Cincinatti.....just what we need more of 

I'm off my soapbox now.  Just remember, shop as usual, and avoid panic buying

+-RH

[PirateSWL]

Trump is going to legalize 11 meters his first 30 days in office !

[PirateSWL]

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/11/trumps-fcc-advisor-wants-to-eliminate-most-of-the-fcc/

[skeezix]

Odd article- it mentions ISP, telcos, etc, but nothing about radio nor TV.


So.... anyone know where I can pick up a variety 43m crystals? 

[John Poet]

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/11/trumps-fcc-advisor-wants-to-eliminate-most-of-the-fcc/

In 2013, Jamison argued that seeking consumer input in the regulatory process can be harmful, claiming that
"Public discussion inhibits open dialogue."

Well, that's pretty 1984-ish...

However, if the agency actually ends up being further weakened and starved, that would be good news on the pirate radio front.

[Skipmuck]

 



                           Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                     Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                )
                                )
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort   )         File No.     EB-03-PA-
146
                                )                     
Atlantic City, New Jersey       )         
                                )         NOV No. V20033240007
Attn: Fire Command Center       )

                       NOTICE OF VIOLATION

                                             Released:  October
17, 2003

By the District Director, Philadelphia Office, Enforcement
Bureau:

  1.      This  is  a  Notice  of  Violation  ("Notice")   issued
     pursuant to  Section 1.89  of  the Commission's  Rules,1  to
     Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (``Trump''). 
 
  2.      On July 19, 2003 and August 13, 2003, an agent with the
     FCC's Philadelphia  Office inspected  the antenna  structure
     located on the roof  of the Trump  Taj Mahal Casino  Resort,
     151 South Pennsylvania  Avenue, Atlantic  City, New  Jersey. 
     During the inspection, the FCC agent found that Trump was in
     violation of the following:

       a. 47 C.F.R. § 17.22:  Whenever painting and lighting
          is required, the Commission will generally  assign
          specifications in accordance with the FAA Advisory
          Circulars referenced  in  Section  17.23.   If  an
          antenna installation is of such a nature that  its
          painting and  lighting  in accordance  with  these
          specifications are confusing,  or endanger  rather
          than assist airmen,  or are otherwise  inadequate,
          the Commission will specify  the type of  painting
          and lighting or  other marking to  be used in  the
          individual situation.''  Trump failed to paint the
          antenna structure  as  specified  on  the  Antenna
          Structure  Registration   1027700.   The   antenna
          structure must have  painting and red  obstruction
          lighting that complies with  Chapters 3, 4, 5  and
          13 of the FAA Circular Number 70/7460-1J.   

       b. 47  C.F.R.  §   17.51(a):   All  red   obstruction
          lighting shall be exhibited from sunset to sunrise
          unless otherwise specified.   The red  obstruction
          lighting  on   the  antenna   structure  was   not
          functioning properly.  One of the red  obstruction
          lighting bulbs  was extinguished  while the  other
          one was steady burning instead of flashing.



       c. 47 C.F.R. §  17.47(a):  The owner  of any  antenna
          structure which is registered with the  Commission
          and  has  been  assigned  lighting  specifications
          referenced in this part shall make an  observation
          of the antenna  structure's lights  at least  once
          each 24 hours either  visually or by observing  an
          automatic properly  maintained indicator  designed
          to register any failure of such lights, to  insure
          that all such lights are functioning properly;  or
          alternatively, shall provide and properly maintain
          an automatic alarm system  designed to detect  any
          failure of such lights  and to provide  indication
          of such failure to the owner. 
         
  3.      Pursuant to Section 308(b) of the Communications Act of
     1934, as  amended,2 and  Section  1.89 of  the  Commission's
     Rules, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, must submit a  written
     statement concerning this matter  within 20 days of  release
     of this  Notice.   The  response  must  fully  explain  each
     violation, must contain a statement of the specific  actions
     taken to correct each violation and preclude recurrence, and
     should  include  a  time  line  for  completion  of  pending
     corrective actions.  The response must be complete in itself
     and signed by a  principal or officer  of the licensee  with
     personal  knowledge  of   the  matter.    All  replies   and
     documentation sent  in response  to  this Notice  should  be
     marked with the File  No. and NOV  No. specified above,  and
     mailed to the following address:

     Federal Communications Commission
     Philadelphia Office
     One Oxford Valley Building, Suite 40
     2300 East Lincoln Highway     
     Langhorne, Pennsylvania 19047

  4.      This Notice shall  be sent  to Trump  Taj Mahal  Casino
     Resort, Attn:  Ed  Belock, 151  South  Pennsylvania  Avenue,
     Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401. 

  5.      The Privacy Act  of 19743 requires  that we advise  you
     that  the  Commission   will  use   all  relevant   material
     information before it,  including any information  disclosed
     in your reply, to determine what, if any, enforcement action
     is required to ensure compliance.  Any false statement  made
     knowingly  and  willfully  in   reply  to  this  Notice   is
     punishable by fine  or imprisonment  under Title  18 of  the
     U.S. Code.4

                                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION



                                John E. Rahtes
                                District Director
                                Philadelphia Office
_________________________


                           Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                     Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                )
                                )
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort   )         File No.     EB-03-PA-
145
                                )                     
Atlantic City, New Jersey       )         
                                )         NOV No. V20033240006
Attn: Fire Command Center


                       NOTICE OF VIOLATION

                                             Released:  October
17, 2003

By the District Director, Philadelphia Office, Enforcement
Bureau:

  1.      This  is  a  Notice  of  Violation  ("Notice")   issued
     pursuant to  Section 1.89  of  the Commission's  Rules,1  to
     Trump Taj Mahal Casino  Resort (``Trump''), the licensee  of
     station WPRL940.
 
  2.      On  July  19,  2003,  an  agent  of  the   Commission's
     Philadelphia Office inspected  the handheld  radios used  by
     the facilities maintenance department at the Trump Taj Mahal
     Casino Resort, 151 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Atlantic City,
     New Jersey.  During the inspection, the FCC agent found that
     Trump was in violation of the following:

       47 C.F.R. § 1.903(a): Stations in the Wireless  Radio
       Service must be used and operated only in  accordance
       with  the   rules  applicable  to  their   particular
       service as set forth  in this title and with a  valid
       authorization  granted by  the Commission  under  the
       provisions  of this  part.  Trump  operated  portable
       radio  equipment  on  the  unauthorized   frequencies
       809.8125 MHz and 809.7875 MHz. 

  3.      Pursuant to Section 308(b) of the Communications Act of
     1934, as  amended,2 and  Section  1.89 of  the  Commission's
     Rules, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, must submit a  written
     statement concerning this matter  within 20 days of  release
     of this  Notice.   The  response  must  fully  explain  each
     violation, must contain a statement of the specific  actions
     taken to correct each violation and preclude recurrence, and
     should  include  a  time  line  for  completion  of  pending
     corrective actions.  The response must be complete in itself
     and signed by a  principal or officer  of the licensee  with
     personal  knowledge  of   the  matter.    All  replies   and
     documentation sent  in response  to  this Notice  should  be
     marked with the File  No. and NOV  No. specified above,  and
     mailed to the following address:

                 Federal Communications Commission
                 Philadelphia Office
                 One Oxford Valley Building, Suite 404
                 2300 East Lincoln Highway
                 Langhorne, Pennsylvania 19047

  4.      This Notice shall  be sent  to Trump  Taj Mahal  Casino
     Resort, Attn: David  Baden, 151  South Pennsylvania  Avenue,
     Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401. 

  5.      The Privacy Act  of 19743 requires  that we advise  you
     that  the  Commission   will  use   all  relevant   material
     information before it,  including any information  disclosed
     in your reply, to determine what, if any, enforcement action
     is required to ensure compliance.  Any false statement  made
     knowingly  and  willfully  in   reply  to  this  Notice   is
     punishable by fine  or imprisonment  under Title  18 of  the
     U.S. Code.4


                                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION




                                John E. Rahtes
                                District Director
                                Philadelphia Office

_________________________

[Pigmeat]

If the President elect ignores them, why shouldn't we?

Speaking of the P.E., does anyone know where I can rent a Slovenian soft-core porn model with a set of bolt-ons?

[BoomboxDX]

I think it's Congress who funds the FCC, and they've been Republican for a couple years now and it's not like they're slamming the hammer down on anything lately. I really doubt it will change. If Trump wants to accomplish half of what he says he wants to do, the FCC regulating pirate broadcasters is probably last on his list.

[MDK2]

I think it's Congress who funds the FCC, and they've been Republican for a couple years now and it's not like they're slamming the hammer down on anything lately. I really doubt it will change. If Trump wants to accomplish half of what he says he wants to do, the FCC regulating pirate broadcasters is probably last on his list.

Essentially it comes down to his appointees and the Republicans. Since he has no experience in government whatsoever, basically all the decisions are going to be handled by his appointees, and aside from a few major things, he's going to rubber stamp what they recommend. If his people want to gut the FCC, then it will be gutted. If they want to levy $500k fines for wardrobe malfunctions, then enforcement will be beefed up.

In short, I agree that Trump likely doesn't give a crap, but that doesn't mean his appointees wom't.

[Josh]

I seriously doubt much will change.  The commission is strapped for cash, and as such the 'Trump Action Plan' calls for more de-regulation which likely will mean that the commission will have to continue its efforts to cut budgets and costs.  I applaud these efforts, but I wish they would pay more attention to whats going on in the commercial side.  This whole HD translator debacle is devaluing both the AM and FM bands by increasing interference and lack of diversity in the name of more one-size-fits-all corporate formats from Cincinatti.....just what we need more of 

I'm off my soapbox now.  Just remember, shop as usual, and avoid panic buying

+-RH

Agreed. Trump's packing his cabinet with more gold sacks execs and neocon warhawks than killary would dare. Trump may just represent the realisation of the klinton bush crime families wildest dreams, but this time they're cut off from the profits.