With the announced resignation of F.C.C. Chairman, Michael Powell, I began to wonder about the qualifications of the other Commissioners for their service on the Federal Communications Commission.
So, I went over to the F.C.C.’s website and read each Commissioner’s biography. Based on what’s published (and folks: if your bios are not complete or up to date, I suggest you do so), it is now my humble opinion that none of these appointed people are qualified to serve.
According to their bios, not one of these Commissioners has ever been a radio host and dealt with the anxiety of being fired or downsized or the angst of trying to find another job in a business where there are 10,000 less positions today than 10 years ago thanks to deregulation and consolidation.
None of these Commissioners have run a terrestrial radio station and dealt with the pressures of having to meet budgets in a progressively competitive world thanks to Internet streams, iPods, and Satellite Radio.
None of these Commissioners have operated a television camera during long hours for low pay.
None of these Commissioners have sold airtime – a position that requires more than a standard 9-5 mentality and is characterized by continuous rejection.
None of these Commissioners have spent long hours toiling in the hot sun installing or repairing telephone, electric, or cable lines.
Yes, according to their bios none have any REAL world experience in the businesses they oversee and regulate!
It’s like appointing a cashier at a Burger King to be Ambassador to Chile. “Go ahead, son. After a while, you’ll see that being a diplomat isn’t much different from working the counter. After all, all you have to do in each job is talk with folks.” (As you know, I love fast-food analogies.)
Granted, all members of the F.C.C. seem to be very well-educated individuals. But, their backgrounds and previous job experience include stints in academia, law, government administration, and business. But, not the real business of broadcasting or the other fields their duties require them to regulate – at least not according to their biographies.
From what I can surmise, it seems we have a bunch of lawyers, former aids to elected officials, career government officials and former professors making day-to-day decisions that affect thousands of real-life media employees and millions of listeners.
Is this some kind of joke?
(Continued...)
