FCC's Clyburn: Concerned Broadcast Auctions Could Affect Diversity

Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is concerned that diversity may be impacted by the incentive auctions if they encourage broadcasters now serving minority communities to give up their spectrum. But she also said the auctions need to be open to everyone and that the FCC needs to think "creatively" about how to incentivize the broadcasters still in business to do more.

Commissioner Clyburn pointed out that channel sharing could be one way for minority-targeted stations to benefit from the auction and remain in business, a point FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has been making a lot lately. Commissioner Clyburn was asked about the finding that there are no longer any African American owned TV stations in the country. As a former media entrepreneur, the commissioner said she thought the Internet and other platforms could augment minority ownership of media, but that it was not a substitute for broadcast ownership. "I will not be satisfied until there are pathways to parity," she said. Asked whether the FCC should start reviewing individual licenses to insure diversity, Commissioner Clyburn said that was something she was pondering and asked for input from the public.