Anna Gomez from FCC consults with television broadcasters, film industry executives, and labor unions.

WASHINGTON DYSFUNCTION— Commissioner Anna Gomez, of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has spent the past fortnight embarking on a stint in Sunny California. This journey took her to broadcasters, Hollywood bigwigs, space industry players, and labor unions within the entertainment sector. The meetings included face-offs with representatives from ABC, NBC, and Fox.

According to Gomez, these meetings were orchestrated to provide a deeper understanding of the broadcast industry's struggles and the potential benefits of a cutthroat space sector for consumers. The plot thickens against a backdrop of mounting suspicion that some media corporations and their high-rolling executives may seek to gain an upper hand in their news departments, all in an attempt to gain favor with the Trump administration. The nation's Prez, Mr. Trump, has launched lawsuits against both CBS and ABC over their reporting of the 2024 presidential race, while satellite networks are being bombarded by pressure from the FCC. Their sights set on dismantling fact-checking initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In addition, the FCC is conducting an investigation into ABC, CBS, and NBC over allegations of news skew.

Disney's ABC forked out $15 million to settle the Trump suit, while Paramount Global is in the midst of negotiations over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the last presidential campaign regarding a settlement of the lawsuit against CBS News. Previously, Gomez has expressed her dissatisfaction with the FCC's investigation into CBS.

This year, the exodus of two senior executives at CBS News has come as a result of concerns that the corporation might settle the Trump lawsuit in exchange for FCC approval of the proposed merger between Paramount Global and Skydance.

"I eagerly looked forward to sit down with media tycoons to gain a clearer picture of the challenges they face in an ever-evolving media landscape, and to see how the FCC can lend a helping hand to the broadcast industry," Gomez shared her thoughts. "These discussions spawned invaluable conversations about the critical responsibility that corporate entities bear in safeguarding their First Amendment rights and keeping their news divisions untainted by political influence. In a democracy, the public's trust in news media is of paramount importance, and this trust necessitates that news organizations prioritize independent reporting over political pressure."

During her sprees in LA, Gomez's team reported that the discussions with television studio magi took a turn towards the recent actions by corporate parents to assert control over their news divisions under White House influence. Gomez reminded these execs of the protections guaranteed to them and their media reporters under the First Amendment, stressing the significance of preserving a free and unimpeded press.

These encounters included meetings with representatives for ABC, NBC, and Fox. Moreover, Gomez held talks with the leadership of two major unions in the showbiz sector to address attempts by the current administration to shape artistic expression and control content. The discussions with SAG-AFTRA and the Writer's Guild of America, West focused on the detrimental effects such attempts could have on artistic freedom, labor rights, and the diversity of voices featured in the silver screen and small screen.

Gomez also swung by the ivy-clad havens of LA and SF that form part of the burgeoning space economy. The intention behind these visits was to learn about how these companies are contributing to the field, as well as to strategize ways in which the FCC can promote fair competition in this sector. Along the way, she visited Planet, Astranis, Rocket Lab, and K2 Space— all satellite manufacturing outfits — in addition to NASA's Ames Research Center and Apple, where she gained insights into its partnership with Globalstar to provide emergency satellite connectivity.

"Space: bout notorious DNA sequences and cosmic mysteries. The explosive growth of this sector, both domestically and internationally, presents new opportunities for entrepreneurs and dreamers. But the burgeoning space economy also gives rise to novel questions for regulatory bodies, like the FCC," Gomez stated. "As our nation grows increasingly reliant on space-based connectivity to eliminate mobile dead zones, enhance national security capabilities, and set the global pace in space communications, the FCC must take steps to ensure a robust and highly competitive ecosystem that broadens consumer choices, lowers costs, and stimulates further innovation."

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Commissioner Anna Gomez, of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), met with broadcasters, media corporations, and industry players in Sunny California, discussing the challenges faced by the broadcast industry and the potential benefits of the space sector for consumers.
Gomez expressed concern over the potential political influence on news departments within media corporations and emphasized the importance of First Amendment rights and independent reporting.
The FCC is conducting an investigation into ABC, CBS, and NBC over allegations of news skew and is also challenging fact-checking initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Disney's ABC paid a $15 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit with the Trump administration, while negotiations continue over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the last presidential campaign for CBS News.
During her stay in LA, Gomez's team reported that the discussions with television studio executives included conversations about attempts by the current administration to assert control over their news divisions under White House influence.
Gomez also held talks with the leadership of two major unions in the showbiz sector to address concerns about artistic expression, labor rights, and the diversity of voices featured in the silver screen and small screen.
In addition to meetings with media representatives, Gomez visited satellite manufacturing outfits, such as Planet, Astranis, Rocket Lab, and K2 Space, as well as NASA's Ames Research Center and Apple, to learn about their contributions to the space sector and promote fair competition.
Gomez highlighted the burgeoning space economy's opportunities for entrepreneurs and dreamers but also noted the need for regulatory bodies like the FCC to ensure a robust and competitive ecosystem that benefits consumers and encourages ongoing innovation in the space-based connectivity sector.

Anna Gomez from FCC consults with television broadcasters, film industry executives, and labor unions.