Walden Bows FCC Broadcasting Incubator Program Bill
House Commerce Committee ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., filed the Broadcast Diversity in Leadership Act Tuesday in a bid to increase broadcaster ownership diversity and support local outlets. The measure would require the FCC set up an incubator program “to…
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support the entry of new and diverse voices in the broadcasting industry by providing for an established broadcaster and an emerging broadcaster to enter into a qualifying incubation relationship with respect to one or more incubated stations of the emerging” broadcaster. Walden said, “We must ensure our local broadcast media stations can continue to compete in today’s media marketplace.” NAB “strongly supports efforts to increase media ownership diversity by providing pathways to station ownership for new and diverse voices,” said CEO Gordon Smith. The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council and National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters also cheered. The bill’s language is similar to a provision jettisoned from the Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act (HR-3957) when the House Communications Subcommittee advanced that measure in March (see 2003100067). Supporters of media diversity legislation believe the amplified national conversation about racism after recent police-involved deaths of Black people is providing an opening to grow momentum on Capitol Hill (see 2006290057).