Chairman Walden vows to protect broadcasters in FCC auction

House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) promised to look out for the interests of broadcasters during the Federal Communications Commission's auction of airwave licenses, emphasizing that the auction will be voluntary for broadcasters.

"As the FCC moves through the incentive auction process, I intend to ensure that the Commission properly implements the provisions of the Act to preserve a vibrant post-auction broadcast environment," Chairman Walden said during a speech at the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas. "To ensure that broadcasters who wish to remain broadcasters can do so. To ensure that the FCC makes all reasonable efforts to maintain coverage areas. To ensure the FCC coordinates with Mexico and Canada to mitigate interference for border state broadcasters. To ensure that the FCC raises enough money to compensate stations that return spectrum, to reimburse those that relocate, and to help pay for the public safety network. And to ensure that — after putting broadcasters through all this — the FCC does not just turn around and give away spectrum.” Chairman Walden also said he plans to renew his push for FCC process reform legislation. The House passed his bill last year, but the Senate declined to take it up. The legislation would require the FCC to demonstrate the necessity of new regulations, restrict the types of conditions the agency could impose on corporate mergers and require the agency to set binding timelines for its proceedings.