Remarks Of FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, Advisory Committee On Diversity And Digital Empowerment, Via Teleconference

I’m proud to announce that I will be hosting a virtual conversation with HBCU Presidents on May 4th to discuss how the transition to online learning has impacted their students’ ability to continue learning, innovating, and connecting. During this discussion, I look forward to hearing how these universities rose to the occasion to connect students without broadband access and get devices in the hands of those without laptops and tablets so they could complete their assignments online. But the need for connectivity does not end with our students. I hope you also explore ways to ensure that every household and small business is connected to the resources and services needed to survive and thrive beyond this crisis.

A final note on the importance of broadband and the contributions this Committee can make by focusing on connectivity issues. We know that broadcast is still the gold standard in reaching the most people, but it is undeniable that the internet is a powerful outlet. Coming out of this pandemic, consider whether there should be more of a focus on the internet, with its lower barriers to entry, as an equalizer that can allow more diverse voices to bypass traditional gatekeepers and allow more diversity to be both in front of and behind the camera.