Question 1

The regulatory role of the Federal Communications Commission is limited to the operation of television and radio stations.

Accepted Answer

The regulatory role of the Federal Communications Commission extends beyond television and radio stations to other areas such as internet service providers, cable companies, and phone service providers.

Question 2

The Federal Communications Commission regulates cable television to the same degree as broadcast television.

Accepted Answer

The FCC regulates broadcast television much more strictly than cable television. Cable television is primarily regulated by individual states and localities, although the FCC does have some authority over cable systems that carry broadcast stations or use public rights-of-way.

Question 3

The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major revision of telecommunications law since the Communications Act of 1934.

Accepted Answer

The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was indeed the first major revision of telecommunications law since the Communications Act of 1934.

Question 4

Sections 312 and 315 of the Federal Communications Commission Code require holders of broadcasting licenses to serve the public interest in two specific ways. Which of the following is NOT one of those requirements?
A) providing reasonable access to political candidates and for the discussion of public issues
B) providing a minimum number of hours of religious programming each week
C) providing candidates equal time to present their campaign messages

Accepted Answer

While Section 312 and 315 require license holders to provide reasonable access to political candidates and provide equal time to present campaign messages, there is no requirement to provide a minimum number of hours of religious programming.

Question 5

The case of FCC v. Pacifica Foundation is significant for which of the following reasons?
A) it led to the success of "Wheel of Fortune" and other television game shows
B) it clarified the difference between "indecency" and "obscenity" and established a "safe harbor" time for indecency on the radio
C) it required Congress to "to go back to the drawing board" and draft new laws to deal with children's television
D) it established the principle that journalists do not have to reveal their sources of information
E) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The case of FCC v. Pacifica Foundation clarified the difference between "indecency" and "obscenity" and established a "safe harbor" time for indecency on the radio, making it significant for media regulation. The other options are not relevant or accurate in relation to this case.

Question 6

The case of Red Lion Broadcasting v. FCC is significant for which of the following reasons?
A) it led to the success of television reality shows
B) it upheld the FCC's authority to regulate broadcasting and clarified that broadcast regulation did not violate the First Amendment
C) it stripped the FCC of the authority necessary to enforce "truth in advertising" laws
D) it clarified the difference between "indecency" and "obscenity" and established a "safe harbor" time for indecency on the radio
E) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The case of Red Lion Broadcasting v. FCC is significant because it upheld the FCC's authority to regulate broadcasting and clarified that broadcast regulation did not violate the First Amendment.

Question 7

Of the major provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which of the following is no longer in effect (because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling)?
A) deregulation of long-distance telephone services to increase competition
B) deregulation of cable television and lifting of price restrictions
C) rule changes regarding TV and radio station ownership
D) rules requiring newly manufactured television sets to include the V-chip
E) Communication Decency Act, regulating sexual content on the Internet

Accepted Answer

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 did include the Communication Decency Act, which aimed to regulate sexual content on the internet. However, this provision was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997 as a violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. Therefore, this provision is no longer in effect.

Question 8

The Radio Act of 1927 had four major provisions. Which of the following WAS NOT one of those four?
A) it created the Federal Radio Commission
B) it required broadcasters to act in "the public interest"
C) it established guidelines for dealing with sexual content
D) it established a formal licensing procedure
E) it gave radio limited First Amendment protection

Accepted Answer

The Radio Act of 1927 did not establish guidelines for dealing with sexual content. Its major provisions were the creation of the Federal Radio Commission, requirement for broadcasters to act in "the public interest," establishment of a formal licensing procedure, and limited First Amendment protection.

Question 9

The cases of KFKB v. FRC and Trinity Methodist Church v. FRC resulted in what legal principle that is still in effect today?
A) if radio advertising is aimed at children, the government can regulate it to a greater extent than advertising aimed at adults
B) advertising aimed at children cannot be regulated differently than advertising aimed at adults
C) government agencies cannot deny a broadcast license to an applicant because doing so would be an unconstitutional form of "prior restraint."
D) government agencies can refuse to renew the license of a broadcaster that does not operate in the public interest (without violating the First Amendment)
E) satellite radio cannot be regulated differently than AM and FM radio

Accepted Answer

The principle established by these cases is that government agencies can refuse to renew the license of a broadcaster that does not operate in the public interest, without this action violating the First Amendment. This principle allows for regulatory oversight to ensure broadcasters serve the public interest.

Question 10

The FCC's "safe harbor" rule refers to which of the following?
A) the area of a marina considered as safe to store your boat or yacht
B) the portion of the broadcast day to which indecent material is limited
C) the portion of the broadcast day to which advertising aimed at children is limited
D) the portion of the broadcast day to which daytime dramas or "soap operas" are limited
E) the portion of the broadcast day to which sports programming is limited

Accepted Answer

The FCC's "safe harbor" rule refers to the portion of the broadcast day to which indecent material is limited. The hours between 10 pm and 6 am are typically considered the safe harbor hours, during which broadcasters are allowed to air programming with potentially indecent content without risking penalties or fines from the FCC. Outside of those hours, broadcasters must be more careful about the content they air to avoid violating FCC regulations.

Question 11

Legal scholars have established three rationale for regulating broadcast media to a greater degree than print media. Which of the following is NOT one of those rationale?
A) public ownership of the airwaves
B) a principle of media regulation borrowed from English common law that states that print media are deserving of more freedoms and less regulation
C) scarcity, or the limited number of frequencies that broadcasters can use
D) pervasiveness, or the potential of broadcasting to be obtrusive

Accepted Answer

The principle of media regulation borrowed from English common law actually states the opposite, that broadcast media should be subject to greater regulation than print media due to the uniquely pervasive and powerful nature of broadcasting. The other three options, public ownership of the airwaves, scarcity of frequencies, and pervasiveness of broadcasting, are commonly accepted rationale for greater regulation of broadcast media.

Question 12

The Radio Act of 1912, one of the first governmental attempts to regular wireless communication, was enacted in part in reaction to what historical event?
A) the election of President Grover Cleveland, known to be a critic of wireless communication
B) the growth in popularity of cellular telephones
C) the sinking of the Titanic
D) celebrations of the 100-year anniversary of the end of the War of 1812

Accepted Answer

The Radio Act of 1912 was enacted in response to the sinking of the Titanic, which demonstrated the need for regulation of wireless communication for safety purposes. The act required all radio operators to be licensed and assigned specific frequencies to prevent interference.

Quiz 9: Broadcasting and Cable

The regulatory role of the Federal Communications Commission is limited to the operation of television and radio stations.

The Federal Communications Commission regulates cable television to the same degree as broadcast television.

The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major revision of telecommunications law since the Communications Act of 1934.

Sections 312 and 315 of the Federal Communications Commission Code require holders of broadcasting licenses to serve the public interest in two specific ways. Which of the following is NOT one of those requirements?

The case of FCC v. Pacifica Foundation is significant for which of the following reasons?

The case of Red Lion Broadcasting v. FCC is significant for which of the following reasons?

Of the major provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which of the following is no longer in effect (because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling) ?

The Radio Act of 1927 had four major provisions. Which of the following WAS NOT one of those four?

The cases of KFKB v. FRC and Trinity Methodist Church v. FRC resulted in what legal principle that is still in effect today?

The FCC's "safe harbor" rule refers to which of the following?

Legal scholars have established three rationale for regulating broadcast media to a greater degree than print media. Which of the following is NOT one of those rationale?

The Radio Act of 1912, one of the first governmental attempts to regular wireless communication, was enacted in part in reaction to what historical event?