WASHINGTON: FCC Acting Chairman Michael Copps, announced the full membership of the commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age.
The committee’s reason for being is to guide the FCC about policies and practices to enhance the participation of minorities and women in telecommunications and related industries. Access to capital--one of the biggest bugaboos to entry--will be examines as well as transactional transparency, career advancement, and the impact of new and emerging technologies on diversity issues. The committee is re-chartered through Dec. 16, 2010.
“The sad truth is that the diversity of this great nation is not reflected in the ownership of its media and telecommunications facilities,” Copps stated. “The time has come to chart a new course, to roll up our sleeves and get to work to craft sustainable solutions. I would like the committee to convene as quickly as possible and, along with whatever priorities it has, to take up two issues that I believe warrant immediate attention: (1) recommendations regarding the state of past commission Adarand studies and the nature, scope and methodology of any additional studies or updates that are necessary; and (2) recommendations on a full file review process that the FCC can implement on an interim basis and that builds on the work done by the prior diversity committee.”
The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting May 7 at 10 a.m., Eastern in the FCC headquarters meeting room, TW-C305, at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. The meeting is open to the general public.
Members of the Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age
Henry Rivera, Emma Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media (Chairperson)
Raul Alarcon, Jr., Spanish Broadcasting System
Jenny Alonzo, Mio.TV
James M. Assey, Jr., National Cable Television Association
Geoffrey C. Blackwell, Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc.
Matthew Blank, Showtime Networks
Maria E. Brennan, American Women in Radio and Television
Kathy Brown, Verizon
Toni Cook Bush, Virgin Mobile
Alan B. Davidson, Google, Inc.
Ralph de la Vega, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets
Steve Hillard, Council Tree Communications
David Honig, Minority Media and Telecommunications Council
Rodney Hood, National Credit Union Administration
Ronald Johnson, Ronson Network Services
Debra Lee, BET Holdings, Inc.
Jane Mago, National Association of Broadcasters
Robert Mendez, ABC Television Network
Marc H. Morial, National Urban League
Karen K. Narasaki, Asian American Justice Center
Melissa Newman, Qwest
Jake Oliver, Afro-American Newspapers
Susan K. Patrick, Patrick Communications
Lisa Pickrum, The RLJ Companies
Rey Ramsey, One Economy Corporation
Michael V. Roberts, Roberts Broadcasting Companies LLC
Andrew Schwartzman, Media Access Project
Anita Stephens Graham, Opportunity Capital Partners
Diane Sutter, Shooting Star Broadcasting
Charles Warfield, Inner City Broadcasting
James Winston, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters
