Eight Forty-Eight - The Changing Media Policy in the Obama Administration

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The Changing Media Policy in the Obama Administration

Barack Obama with the press in March 2008. (AP/Alex Brandon)

The buzz over President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for Secretary of State is reaching a fever pitch. But plenty of people are just as interested in some less high-profile appointments. Obama will have a chance to dramatically remake the Federal Communications Commission. And that new FCC will make decisions on everything from media consolidation to access to the Internet.

Those are issues that Robert McChesney follows closely. He’s a communications professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and co-founder of the media reform organization, Free Press. Robert McChesney joined us to talk about how media policy may change in an Obama administration.

remowill, STL // Thursday, November 20, 2008 @ 2:18 PM

I think it's still to early to tell.

Judith Snow, Savannah Ga // Thursday, November 20, 2008 @ 2:35 PM

I just want to see those that have allowed the radio to to get this bad, held to the fire along with a major push to put Independent artists on more even ground with the majors.

Kevin Taglang, Evanston // Thursday, November 20, 2008 @ 2:59 PM

Prof McChesney indicated that FCC commissioners Adelstein and Martin will be replaced by President Obama. But Commissioner Adelstein could remain at the FCC until the end of 2009 and Chairman Martin's term as a _commissoner_ does not end until 2011. So we may not see the turnover he envisions unless these commissioners step down for other opportunities.

Lloyd Middleton, Garland // Friday, November 21, 2008 @ 2:41 PM

I pretty sure in an Obama administration,criticism of his policies will bring swift reaction,if not penalties.Blacks today won't tolerate the same hate of Obama,that they perpetrated against toward Bush.Any white person could be seriously accosted.

Ron Weiner, Highland Park, IL // Saturday, November 22, 2008 @ 12:29 AM

I would urge Professor McChesney to do all that he can to bring about the appointment of Copmmissioner Mike Copps to the the position of Chairman of the FCC as soon as is practical. I would further urge him to work to bring about the reappointment of Commissioner Adelstein to a new full term as commissioner.