As the role of the Internet in daily life expands rapidly, and with the role of newspapers and traditional journalism in steep decline, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is soliciting public input on possible changes to federal policy.  These policy changes would, hopefully, ensure that media remains strong enough to inform the public, protect consumers, and hold our leaders accountable.

According to a recent study by the Knight Commission on Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy, “Emerging media have become amazing forces for enabling people to connect. But their full potential is not yet realized in the service of geographic communities, the physical places where people live and work.”  For this reason, the FCC is attempting to identify policy changes that will help bridge this digital divide while also protecting first amendment rights.  Potential policy changes include regulatory change effecting broadcast and online communication and may alter the economic structures of media. 
 
The FCC is soliciting public input to questions divided into six categories:

• Information Needs of Communities & Citizens
• Business Models & Financial Trends
• Commercial Broadcast TV, Radio, Cable, and Satellite
• Noncommercial and Public Media
• Internet and Mobile
• Newspapers and Magazines

You may participate in the discussion online.