Question 1

The first set of substantive rules removed from the FCC's books focused on
A)cable television.
B)commercial radio.
C)commercial television.
D)public television.
E)low-power television.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The first set of substantive rules removed...

Question 2

FCC deregulatory policy is based on the concept that __________, not the government, should decide which new technologies survive in the marketplace.
A)broadcast station and cable system owners
B)competition
C)consumer advocate groups
D)electronic engineers
E)a congressionally appointed technical commission

Accepted Answer

FCC deregulatory policy is based on the concept of promoting competition and allowing the market to decide which new technologies survive. The government believes that competition will lead to innovation, lower prices for consumers, and greater efficiency in the telecommunications industry.

Question 3

The Federal Trade Commission settles most cases of alleged advertising deception through
A)consent orders.
B)cease and desist orders.
C)privilege.
D)stipulations.
E)issuing oversights.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Federal Trade Commission settles most cases...

Question 4

In press law, __________ concerns the right of news personnel to withhold the identity of news sources and to refuse to surrender personal notes.
A)outtake law
B)reporters' privilege
C)press stipulations
D)access rights
E)oversight

Accepted Answer

The term that concerns the right of news personnel to withhold the identity of news sources and to refuse to surrender personal notes is called "reporters' privilege." This is an important aspect of press law as it allows journalists to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of their sources, which can be crucial for uncovering and reporting on sensitive information.

Question 5

All of the following are ways individuals or groups attempt to influence media regulatory policy except
A)oversight hearings.
B)conducting promotional lotteries.
C)boycotts.
D)coverage of electronic media in trade and popular publications.
E)invitations to the White House to discuss policy issues.

Accepted Answer

Conducting promotional lotteries is not a way individuals or groups attempt to influence media regulatory policy. The other options listed (oversight hearings, boycotts, coverage in trade and popular publications, and invitations to the White House) are all examples of ways that individuals or groups try to influence media regulatory policy.

Question 6

In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress maintained a national audience cap for commercial television owners by raising it to __________ percent of the television homes in the country.
A)24
B)30
C)39
D)40
E)47

Accepted Answer

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 raised the national audience cap for commercial television owners to 39 percent of the television homes in the country.

Question 7

Tax certificates and distress sales are two actions permitted by the FCC primarily to
A)allow owners of marginal stations to avoid bankruptcy.
B)encourage group owners to diversify their holdings.
C)increase the number of minority licensees.
D)maintain stations in smaller communities.
E)grandfather existing stations.

Accepted Answer

Tax certificates and distress sales are mechanisms used by the FCC to increase the number of minority licensees by providing incentives for the sale of broadcast stations to minority-owned entities.

Question 8

Because it is impossible to dictate regulatory details in specialized fields, Congress has long delegated authority over complex areas such as power, labor, transportation, and finance to a series of independent regulatory agencies.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Congress has indeed delegated authority over complex areas such as power, labor, transportation, and finance to independent regulatory agencies as it is not possible to dictate regulatory details in specialized fields.

Question 9

The FCC licenses radio and television stations to serve in the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating and licensing radio and television stations in the United States to ensure they serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. The FCC's role is to ensure that these stations operate in a manner that promotes the public good and provides information and entertainment to their audiences.

Question 10

The FCC's Media Bureau handles all domestic wireless telecommunications programs and policies.

Accepted Answer

The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau handles all domestic wireless telecommunications programs and policies, not the Media Bureau. The Media Bureau is responsible for areas such as television and radio broadcasting, cable television, and satellite communications.

Question 11

The FCC typically issues edicts as one of its decision-making procedures.

Accepted Answer

The FCC typically issues orders, not edicts, as part of its decision-making procedures.

Question 12

In a "report and order," the FCC issues a request for preliminary comment and research on a regulatory policy it is investigating.

Accepted Answer

A "report and order" is actually a type of document issued by the FCC that announces a new regulatory policy and outlines the specific rules and procedures that will be put into place. It does not request preliminary comment and research. However, the FCC may issue a "notice of proposed rulemaking" (NPRM) to solicit feedback and data from stakeholders before making a decision on a regulatory issue.

Question 13

Equal employment opportunity (EEO) requirements must be met for all broadcast stations and cable systems with five or more full-time employees.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires that all broadcast stations and cable systems with five or more full-time employees comply with EEO regulations, which prohibit discrimination in employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. This includes providing equal employment opportunities, outreach efforts to attract diverse candidates, and maintaining records of recruitment and hiring practices.

Question 14

Few people who complain to the FCC about broadcast programs realize that their complaints may be discarded because they ask the Commission to violate the First Amendment by censoring material that the writers personally dislike.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and the press, which means the FCC cannot censor material based on personal preferences or opinions. Any complaints that ask for material to be censored simply because the writer dislikes it are not considered valid by the FCC.

Question 15

The relatively low use of FCC sanctions against stations reflects lenient FCC treatment of licensees.

Accepted Answer

The statement implies that the FCC is lenient in its treatment towards licensees, resulting in few sanctions being issued against stations.

Question 16

"Standing" gives a party the right to participate in a judicial procedure.

Accepted Answer

Standing is a legal concept that refers to a party's right to participate in a judicial proceeding based on their interest in the outcome of the case. Only parties with standing can bring a case to court or be sued.

Question 17

In license transfers, the FCC issues a public notice of the application and grants it if, after 30 days, no one has objected to the transfer.

Accepted Answer

This is true according to the FCC regulations.

Question 18

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 authorized a new provider for delivery of cable services - broadcasters.

Accepted Answer

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 did not authorize broadcasters to provide cable services, but rather created more competition in the cable industry by allowing regional Bell companies and other companies to enter the cable market.

Question 19

Under the 1992 Cable Act, every three years broadcasters may request must carry on cable systems in their area or may negotiate a retransmission consent agreement.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The 1992 Cable Act allows broadcasters to request must-carry status on cable systems in their area every three years, or negotiate a retransmission consent agreement with the cable operators.

Question 20

SMATV systems need franchises to operate and are subject to local access channel requirements.

Accepted Answer

SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television) systems do not typically require franchises to operate because they are private satellite TV networks used within a single property or complex, such as a hotel or apartment building, and are not public cable television providers. They are not subject to local access channel requirements that apply to public cable systems.

Quiz 11: The Communications Act, Licensing, and Structural Regulation

The first set of substantive rules removed from the FCC's books focused on

FCC deregulatory policy is based on the concept that __________, not the government, should decide which new technologies survive in the marketplace.

The Federal Trade Commission settles most cases of alleged advertising deception through

In press law, __________ concerns the right of news personnel to withhold the identity of news sources and to refuse to surrender personal notes.

All of the following are ways individuals or groups attempt to influence media regulatory policy except

In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress maintained a national audience cap for commercial television owners by raising it to __________ percent of the television homes in the country.

Tax certificates and distress sales are two actions permitted by the FCC primarily to