Government intervention has played an important role in continually shaping the radio industry into what it has become today. In the early 20th century especially, the Government used their power to regulate the newly formed radio industry in order to control exactly how it would grow and function.
Throughout history, the Government has used its expansive access to the media to manage exactly what its citizens are allowed to see. Whether it is controlling who has access, or what is being broadcasted, there is a long history of Government regulation in media. The first main act passed in the early 1900's was the Radio Act of 1912, which was used to prevent foreign takeover of the radio industry and to require that sea vessels communicate through it (due largely to the success of the radio in helping the Titanic disaster). Furthermore, the main force in shaping the radio industry in the 1920's came with the Radio Act of 1927. The Department of Commerce at the time was not allowed to deny a license to anyone who requested one. in turn, they sent all the responsibilities of such over to the Federal Radio Commission. This group was given the power to allocate frequencies, and license stations. This act not only limited who could be on the radio, but it was also the first indication of censorship.
This was one of the Government's first attempts at controlling the media, as we know it today. Although it was not too overbearing, the FRC later was disbanded and the FCC was formed, which not only controlled the radio, but also other media industries. The Radio Acts of 1912 and 1927 were just a few of the ways that Government intervention helped mold the radio industry in the 1920's.
No comments:
Post a Comment