Update on FCC Reform Efforts

Mary Beth Richards, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski's Special Counsel for Reform, led a briefing for FCC commissioners and the public on efforts to reform the agency.

Her review included:

1) the agency's public safety readiness,

2) data collection, analysis and dissemination,

3) the agency's licensing, comment and complaint filing systems, 4) internal and external communications, and

5) the modernization of the FCC's website and use of new media. In add

ition, the presentation covered the ongoing development of the FCC workforce, the agency's internal processes, and a financial review of the FCC.

Moving forward, the plan is to A) seek additional internal and external input, B) prioritize recommendations, C) develop short-term and long-term plans, and D) to implement changes.

Public Knowledge President and Co-Founder Gigi B. Sohn said, "From data collection to the Commission's Web site and FCC procedures, it appears as if the Commission is on the right track to make the changes to bring the agency into the 21st century."