'Connectivity' Bills from Democratic Reps Targets 'Fake News' Retaliation

House Democrats have released a suite of "connectivity" bills April 5 that would, among other things, prevent the Federal Communications Commission from targeting broadcasters "or anyone else" on the basis of viewpoint, toughen FCC political ad disclosure rules, and boost broadcast diversity.

The Protecting Dissenting Viewpoints and Voices Act (HR 1574), introduced by Rep Ben Jay Luján (D-NM), stems from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's decision not to weigh in on President Donald Trump's branding of news outlets as "fake news" and in the shadow of the President's ongoing threats, or perceived threats, including invoking potential changes in libel laws or, as a candidate, suggesting his Administration should bock a deal involving Time Warner, which owns one of his main targets, CNN. The bill would prevent the FCC from revoking any license, denying a license transfer, or taking action against an individual for their viewpoints on issues of public importance. The bill would also prevent the President from directing an agency from retaliating over a broadcast viewpoint.

The Keeping Our Campaigns Honest (KOCH) Act (HR 1439), whose name is a reference to the Koch brothers, who are big Republican donors, was introduced by Reps John Yarmuth (D-KY), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Luján. It would "direct the FCC to revise its sponsorship identification rules to require that the true identity of individuals behind anonymous campaign ads be disclosed."

The Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act, introduced by Rep GK Butterfield (D-NC) would boost data and reporting requirements for ownership diversity, restore the tax certificate program and establish a minority incubator program (see separate story).

The Connected Government Act which would require government websites to be optimized for mobile.

The Family Telephone Connection Protection Act (HR 1184) which would require the FCC to regulate prison phone rates.