3/20/2017

FAKE NEWS/MEDIA: “The news media are not the enemy of the American people, the new head of the Federal Communications Commission said after dodging the question at a Senate hearing this month.
‘A free media is vital to our democracy,’ FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wrote last week to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who released the letter Monday [3-20-17].
‘That is why during my time at the commission I have consistently opposed any effort to infringe upon the freedom of the press and have fought to eliminate regulations that impede the gathering and dissemination of news,’ said Pai, a Republican who has served as a commissioner since 2012.
His views are important because the FCC has oversight over many federal regulations covering the news media, including access to public airwaves and limits on ownership of broadcast stations and newspapers in the same market. The agency also often must decide whether to approve major media mergers.
Pai was criticized by Democrats and public interest advocates for not taking a position at a March 8 Senate Commerce Committee hearing on comments by President Trump that were highly critical of many news organizations.”

-Jim Puzzanghera, “FCC chief says media aren’t the enemy of the people. He dodged the question earlier,” The Los Angeles Times online, March 20, 2017