House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed legislation today that would force the parent company of TikTok to divest the popular app or face a ban on U.S. platforms.
The legislation passed 352-65, easily clearing the 2/3 threshold needed.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where no timetable is set for considering the legislation.
“The Senate will review the legislation when it comes over from the House,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-ny) said in a statement.
But the bill gained two key supporters, Sen. Mark Warner (D-va) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-fl), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, who have previously sought measures to restrict the effort.
Under the legislation, ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, would be forced to sell the social media platform within about five months or face having it banned on app stores or web hosting services. The bill, called the Protecting...
The legislation passed 352-65, easily clearing the 2/3 threshold needed.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where no timetable is set for considering the legislation.
“The Senate will review the legislation when it comes over from the House,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-ny) said in a statement.
But the bill gained two key supporters, Sen. Mark Warner (D-va) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-fl), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, who have previously sought measures to restrict the effort.
Under the legislation, ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, would be forced to sell the social media platform within about five months or face having it banned on app stores or web hosting services. The bill, called the Protecting...
- 3/13/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Earlier this month, YouTube decided it would “stop removing content that advances false claims that widespread fraud, errors, or glitches occurred in the 2020 and other past US Presidential elections.”
That policy–a significant departure from YouTube’s previous crowing about how committed it is to preventing the spread of election misinformation–is now under fire from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
“We write to express our deep disappointment in YouTube’s recent decision to reverse its election misinformation policy regarding the 2020 election cycle,” Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Frank Pallone (D-n.J.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) wrote in an open letter to Alphabet/Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.
“While you claim that taking such action is ‘core to a functioning democratic society,’ we emphatically disagree. Not only is this decision extremely irresponsible, but, in fact, it threatens to weaken our democracy, and...
That policy–a significant departure from YouTube’s previous crowing about how committed it is to preventing the spread of election misinformation–is now under fire from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
“We write to express our deep disappointment in YouTube’s recent decision to reverse its election misinformation policy regarding the 2020 election cycle,” Reps. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Frank Pallone (D-n.J.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) wrote in an open letter to Alphabet/Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.
“While you claim that taking such action is ‘core to a functioning democratic society,’ we emphatically disagree. Not only is this decision extremely irresponsible, but, in fact, it threatens to weaken our democracy, and...
- 6/26/2023
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
TikTok’s CEO faced intense scrutiny from Congress’s Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday as the U.S. government continues to mull a potential ban or forced sale of the social media platform over privacy and security concerns.
For more than four hours, CEO Shou Chew faced probing questions from the bipartisan Congressional committee. The committee focused on TikTok and parent company ByteDance’s potential links to the Chinese Communist Party, but also zeroed in on content TikTok promotes that they say could be harmful to minors who use the app.
For more than four hours, CEO Shou Chew faced probing questions from the bipartisan Congressional committee. The committee focused on TikTok and parent company ByteDance’s potential links to the Chinese Communist Party, but also zeroed in on content TikTok promotes that they say could be harmful to minors who use the app.
- 3/23/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Update: Standard General blasted the FCC’s decision to send its proposed acquisition of Tegna to an administrative law judge, accusing the agency of trying to scuttle the deal by delaying it.
On Friday, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued an order sending the transaction to the judge for a hearing. The bureau took issue with the transaction’s potential to raise consumer prices and to result in layoffs.
In a statement, Standard General’s managing partner Soo Kim said, “A decision delayed is a decision denied. Our proposed transaction is consistent with all FCC regulations and precedent. It is bolstered by a voluntary commitment to invest in local news, preserve newsroom jobs, and address purported concerns related to consumer pricing. But rather than rule on the transaction’s merits, as the law requires, the Media Bureau is attempting to scuttle the deal by ordering a wholly unnecessary hearing process,...
On Friday, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued an order sending the transaction to the judge for a hearing. The bureau took issue with the transaction’s potential to raise consumer prices and to result in layoffs.
In a statement, Standard General’s managing partner Soo Kim said, “A decision delayed is a decision denied. Our proposed transaction is consistent with all FCC regulations and precedent. It is bolstered by a voluntary commitment to invest in local news, preserve newsroom jobs, and address purported concerns related to consumer pricing. But rather than rule on the transaction’s merits, as the law requires, the Media Bureau is attempting to scuttle the deal by ordering a wholly unnecessary hearing process,...
- 2/27/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Standard General’s proposed acquisition of Tegna is facing new scrutiny from Capitol Hill, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Commerce Committee Frank Pallone fired off a letter to the FCC expressing their concerns about the transaction.
Standard General, however, said that the lawmakers were being misled by opponents of the transaction, who include public interest groups and the NewsGuild Cwa, and that Pelosi and Pallone’s letter was applying “improper pressure” to the FCC.
Under the terms of the transaction, an affiliate of Standard General would purchase Tegna, which has 64 stations in 51 markets. Apollo Global Management, owner of Cox Media Group, is involved in financing the deal. Following the close of the transaction, Cox will acquire Tegna stations in Austin (Kvue), Dallas (Wfaa and Kmpx) and Houston (Khou and Ktbu) from Standard General.
In the letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Pelosi and Pallone focus in part on...
Standard General, however, said that the lawmakers were being misled by opponents of the transaction, who include public interest groups and the NewsGuild Cwa, and that Pelosi and Pallone’s letter was applying “improper pressure” to the FCC.
Under the terms of the transaction, an affiliate of Standard General would purchase Tegna, which has 64 stations in 51 markets. Apollo Global Management, owner of Cox Media Group, is involved in financing the deal. Following the close of the transaction, Cox will acquire Tegna stations in Austin (Kvue), Dallas (Wfaa and Kmpx) and Houston (Khou and Ktbu) from Standard General.
In the letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Pelosi and Pallone focus in part on...
- 10/6/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the roughly 700 billion climate, health care and tax package that passed Congress last week on a party line vote.
Biden handed a pen to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-wv) just after he signed the bill, a gesture to one of the Senate’s Democratic holdouts to earlier versions of the bill that were far more sweeping and costly.
“Joe, I never had a doubt,” Biden said during his remarks in the State Dining Room.
The president also took a swipe at the GOP, unified in opposition to the legislation. He said that “Democrats sided with the American people, and every single Republican sided with special interests.”
Biden called the bill “one of the most significant laws in our history,” as it marks the federal governments largest outlay to address climate change.
Biden also tried to convey that Democrats have actually accomplished a lot since he took office,...
Biden handed a pen to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-wv) just after he signed the bill, a gesture to one of the Senate’s Democratic holdouts to earlier versions of the bill that were far more sweeping and costly.
“Joe, I never had a doubt,” Biden said during his remarks in the State Dining Room.
The president also took a swipe at the GOP, unified in opposition to the legislation. He said that “Democrats sided with the American people, and every single Republican sided with special interests.”
Biden called the bill “one of the most significant laws in our history,” as it marks the federal governments largest outlay to address climate change.
Biden also tried to convey that Democrats have actually accomplished a lot since he took office,...
- 8/16/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of House Democrats plan to introduce legislation that will remove some of the liability protections for tech platforms, on the heels of a Facebook whistleblower’s testimony last week that was highly critical of the social giant’s practices.
The new legislation would target Section 230, a provision of a 1996 law that has given platforms liability for third party content.
The bill, to be introduced on Friday, would expose an online platform to liability when it “knowingly or recklessly uses an algorithm or other technology to recommend content that materially contributes to physical or severe emotional injury,” according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Its chairman, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-nj), said in a statement that platforms like Facebook continue to actively amplify content that endangers our families, promotes conspiracy theories, and incites extremism to generate more clicks and ad dollars. These platforms are not passive bystanders – they are knowingly choosing profits over people,...
The new legislation would target Section 230, a provision of a 1996 law that has given platforms liability for third party content.
The bill, to be introduced on Friday, would expose an online platform to liability when it “knowingly or recklessly uses an algorithm or other technology to recommend content that materially contributes to physical or severe emotional injury,” according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Its chairman, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-nj), said in a statement that platforms like Facebook continue to actively amplify content that endangers our families, promotes conspiracy theories, and incites extremism to generate more clicks and ad dollars. These platforms are not passive bystanders – they are knowingly choosing profits over people,...
- 10/14/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
San Francisco, March 26 (Ians) A member of the US Congress called out Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey after he tweeted a cryptic poll apparently to vent his frustration over the format of a congressional hearing on misinformation and extremism.
At the hearing with the House Energy and Commerce committee, lawmakers on Thursday grilled the top executives of Facebook, Twitter and Google.
As the tech CEOs were effectively made to give answers to some complicated questions in simple "Yes" or "No" format, Dorsey posted a Twitter poll with the question: "?" that had two answers to pick from: either a "Yes" or "No."
His post attracted the attention of US Representative Kathleen Rice.
"Mr. Dorsey, what is winning ? yes or no ? on your Twitter account…poll?," asked Rice.
"Yes," Dorsey answered simply.
"Hmmm," Rice admonished.
"Your multitasking skills are quite impressive," she said in a tone that actually seemed to convey the opposite.
At the hearing with the House Energy and Commerce committee, lawmakers on Thursday grilled the top executives of Facebook, Twitter and Google.
As the tech CEOs were effectively made to give answers to some complicated questions in simple "Yes" or "No" format, Dorsey posted a Twitter poll with the question: "?" that had two answers to pick from: either a "Yes" or "No."
His post attracted the attention of US Representative Kathleen Rice.
"Mr. Dorsey, what is winning ? yes or no ? on your Twitter account…poll?," asked Rice.
"Yes," Dorsey answered simply.
"Hmmm," Rice admonished.
"Your multitasking skills are quite impressive," she said in a tone that actually seemed to convey the opposite.
- 3/26/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
A group of House Democrats are querying Google over its policies to curb extremist content on YouTube, suggesting that its efforts to limit such content have been insufficient.
In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, House Energy & Commerce Committee chairman Frank Pallone and two other Democrats, Mike Doyle and Jan Schakowsky, write, “YouTube states that it will remove videos that violate its hate speech policy and violent criminal organizations policy, but disinformation, viral conspiracy theories, and incendiary content that indoctrinates, radicalizes, and mobilizes extremists continues to flourish on YouTube. Ultimately, we believe that YouTube bears a moral responsibility for the content it amplifies on its platform and should disrupt the pipeline of extremism driving users to more fringe videos and channels.”
The letter keys in on Google’s algorithm and how it delivers “Up Next” recommendations to users. They write that even though they are designed to maintain user engagement,...
In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, House Energy & Commerce Committee chairman Frank Pallone and two other Democrats, Mike Doyle and Jan Schakowsky, write, “YouTube states that it will remove videos that violate its hate speech policy and violent criminal organizations policy, but disinformation, viral conspiracy theories, and incendiary content that indoctrinates, radicalizes, and mobilizes extremists continues to flourish on YouTube. Ultimately, we believe that YouTube bears a moral responsibility for the content it amplifies on its platform and should disrupt the pipeline of extremism driving users to more fringe videos and channels.”
The letter keys in on Google’s algorithm and how it delivers “Up Next” recommendations to users. They write that even though they are designed to maintain user engagement,...
- 3/3/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Two prominent House Democrats have fired off a letter to AT&T, Comcast and Amazon and other channel distributors, asking them whether they plan to continue carrying Fox News, One America News Network and Newsmax.
In the letter, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-ca) and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-ca) single out the networks as “misinformation rumor mills and conspiracy theory hotbeds that produce content that leads to real harm.”
“Misinformation on TV has led to our current polluted information environment that radicalizes individuals to commit seditious acts and rejects public health best practices, among other issues in our public discourse,” they wrote in the letters. (Read them here). The letter was sent to 12 cable, satellite and streaming companies.
The lawmakers added that “to our knowledge, the cable, satellite, and over-the-top companies that disseminate these media outlets to American viewers have done nothing in response to the misinformation aired by these outlets.”
Eshoo and...
In the letter, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-ca) and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-ca) single out the networks as “misinformation rumor mills and conspiracy theory hotbeds that produce content that leads to real harm.”
“Misinformation on TV has led to our current polluted information environment that radicalizes individuals to commit seditious acts and rejects public health best practices, among other issues in our public discourse,” they wrote in the letters. (Read them here). The letter was sent to 12 cable, satellite and streaming companies.
The lawmakers added that “to our knowledge, the cable, satellite, and over-the-top companies that disseminate these media outlets to American viewers have done nothing in response to the misinformation aired by these outlets.”
Eshoo and...
- 2/22/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The WGA West’s political action committee has endorsed Joe Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president. The guild’s Pac joins entertainment industry unions IATSE, the American Federation of Musicians, and Actors’ Equity in endorsing the Democratic challengers to President Donald Trump and VP Mike Pence.
The WGA West Pac is also supporting the re-election of seven incumbent Democratic U.S. Senators: Cory Booker (NJ), Dick Durbin (Il), Doug Jones (Al), Ed Markey (Ma), Jeanne Shaheen (Nh), Tina Smith (Mn), and Gary Peters (Mi). The Pac is also supporting the election of nine Senate challengers — all Democrats –including Jaime Harrison (Sc), Steve Bullock (Mt), Cal Cunningham (Nc), Mike Espy (Ms), Sara Gideon (Me), Theresa Greenfield (Ia), Mj Hegar (TX), Jon Ossoff (Ga) and Raphael Warnock (Ga).
The Pac says its senatorial endorsements were made “with the goal of flipping the Senate to a pro-writer and pro-union majority.
The WGA West Pac is also supporting the re-election of seven incumbent Democratic U.S. Senators: Cory Booker (NJ), Dick Durbin (Il), Doug Jones (Al), Ed Markey (Ma), Jeanne Shaheen (Nh), Tina Smith (Mn), and Gary Peters (Mi). The Pac is also supporting the election of nine Senate challengers — all Democrats –including Jaime Harrison (Sc), Steve Bullock (Mt), Cal Cunningham (Nc), Mike Espy (Ms), Sara Gideon (Me), Theresa Greenfield (Ia), Mj Hegar (TX), Jon Ossoff (Ga) and Raphael Warnock (Ga).
The Pac says its senatorial endorsements were made “with the goal of flipping the Senate to a pro-writer and pro-union majority.
- 10/13/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Schur, creator of The Good Place and Parks and Recreation, is urging his fellow writers to donate to the WGA West’s political action committee to help “flip the Senate and bring in bold leaders who will check the power of the Supreme Court.”
“You undoubtedly already know how far Mitch McConnell and the party of Trump will go to enshrine their far-right agenda,” he said in a message sent out today to the guild’s members. “Now is the time to counter power with power.”
He added: “Your Wgaw Pac is putting its might behind candidates like Theresa Greenfield in Iowa, Steve Bullock in Montana, Cal Cunningham in North Carolina, and Jon Ossoff in Georgia – candidates looking to unseat the same Senators intent on replacing Justice Ginsburg before the November election. These are very close races, where our Wgaw Pac contribution travels far. These candidates, like established allies Cory Booker and Pramila Jayapal,...
“You undoubtedly already know how far Mitch McConnell and the party of Trump will go to enshrine their far-right agenda,” he said in a message sent out today to the guild’s members. “Now is the time to counter power with power.”
He added: “Your Wgaw Pac is putting its might behind candidates like Theresa Greenfield in Iowa, Steve Bullock in Montana, Cal Cunningham in North Carolina, and Jon Ossoff in Georgia – candidates looking to unseat the same Senators intent on replacing Justice Ginsburg before the November election. These are very close races, where our Wgaw Pac contribution travels far. These candidates, like established allies Cory Booker and Pramila Jayapal,...
- 9/25/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The FCC rejected a petition to investigate how broadcasters are airing President Donald Trump’s statements about the coronavirus, as well as those made by on-air personalities including Rush Limbaugh.
In response to an emergency petition from public interest group Free Press, the agency said that it would act would “neither act as a roving arbiter of broadcasters’ editorial judgments nor discourage them from airing breaking news events involving government officials in the midst of the current global pandemic.”
More from DeadlineIATSE Wants To Hear Members' Stories About Impact Of Covid-19 ShutdownHollywood's Coronavirus PSAs: 'Adventure Time'; AMC, CBS & ABC Stars; Hallmark; 'Chicago' Shows, 'Sesame Street' & Many More'Archer' Season 11 Premiere Date Pushed Due To Coronavirus-Related Production Delays
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that “the federal government will not—and never should—investigate broadcasters for their editorial judgments simply because a special interest group is angry at the...
In response to an emergency petition from public interest group Free Press, the agency said that it would act would “neither act as a roving arbiter of broadcasters’ editorial judgments nor discourage them from airing breaking news events involving government officials in the midst of the current global pandemic.”
More from DeadlineIATSE Wants To Hear Members' Stories About Impact Of Covid-19 ShutdownHollywood's Coronavirus PSAs: 'Adventure Time'; AMC, CBS & ABC Stars; Hallmark; 'Chicago' Shows, 'Sesame Street' & Many More'Archer' Season 11 Premiere Date Pushed Due To Coronavirus-Related Production Delays
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that “the federal government will not—and never should—investigate broadcasters for their editorial judgments simply because a special interest group is angry at the...
- 4/6/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Two prominent House Democrats want the FCC to give stations assurances that their licenses won’t be in jeopardy, after Donald Trump’s presidential campaign suggested as much in a legal threat sent to outlets airing a pro-Joe Biden Super Pac ad critical of the president’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-nj), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-pa), who heads the communications and technology subcommittee, wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai that “we believe the FCC has a duty to provide clear guidance to broadcasters and the public that threats by politicians about protected speech will not influence the agency or broadcaster licenses. To stay silent could undermine the First Amendment and the Communications Act.”
More from DeadlineComic-Con "Hopeful" That San Diego Fanboy Show Goes On In Covid-19 Era, But Are Studios & Networks?Disney...
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-nj), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-pa), who heads the communications and technology subcommittee, wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai that “we believe the FCC has a duty to provide clear guidance to broadcasters and the public that threats by politicians about protected speech will not influence the agency or broadcaster licenses. To stay silent could undermine the First Amendment and the Communications Act.”
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- 4/2/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The WGA West’s political action committee had a strong midterm election night, helping to flip the House of Representatives. Twenty-six of the 31 candidates it endorsed – all Democrats – were elected, including 18 of the 19 House candidates it backed, and nine of its 14 senatorial picks.
Most of the candidates it supported were incumbents, but the union also backed two candidates who defeated incumbent Republicans: Jackie Rosen, who unseated Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, and Harley Rouda, who ousted longtime Southern California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher and helped give the Democrats control of the House.
The guild’s Pac, which backed up its endorsements with more than $200,000 in campaign contributions, also supported winning senators Dianne Feinstein, Elizabeth Warren, Jon Tester, Tammy Baldwin, Sherrod Brown, Maria Cantwell and Amy Klobuchar along with Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Dems. The losing senatorial candidates it backed were Heidi Heitkamp, Claire McCaskill, Phil Bredesen, Joe Donnelly and Bill Nelson,...
Most of the candidates it supported were incumbents, but the union also backed two candidates who defeated incumbent Republicans: Jackie Rosen, who unseated Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, and Harley Rouda, who ousted longtime Southern California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher and helped give the Democrats control of the House.
The guild’s Pac, which backed up its endorsements with more than $200,000 in campaign contributions, also supported winning senators Dianne Feinstein, Elizabeth Warren, Jon Tester, Tammy Baldwin, Sherrod Brown, Maria Cantwell and Amy Klobuchar along with Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Dems. The losing senatorial candidates it backed were Heidi Heitkamp, Claire McCaskill, Phil Bredesen, Joe Donnelly and Bill Nelson,...
- 11/7/2018
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the inspector general found no evidence of impropriety or favoritism in the agency’s review of the proposed Sinclair-Tribune Merger.
Two House Democrats had asked the FCC’s inspector general to examine whether Pai was biased in favor of Sinclair Broadcast Group, which was seeking regulatory approval of a $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune.
Reps. Frank Pallone and Elijah Cummings cited recent FCC decisions around local ownership that would benefit Sinclair, which had reportedly struck a deal to afford favorable coverage of President Donald Trump.
“I’m pleased that the Office of Inspector General has concluded that there was ‘no evidence, nor even the suggestion, of impropriety, unscrupulous behavior, favoritism towards Sinclair, or lack of impartiality related to the proposed Sinclair-Tribune Merger,'” Pai said in a statement.
Pai said he merely called on the FCC to update its outdated media ownership regulations to match the realities of the modern marketplace.
Two House Democrats had asked the FCC’s inspector general to examine whether Pai was biased in favor of Sinclair Broadcast Group, which was seeking regulatory approval of a $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune.
Reps. Frank Pallone and Elijah Cummings cited recent FCC decisions around local ownership that would benefit Sinclair, which had reportedly struck a deal to afford favorable coverage of President Donald Trump.
“I’m pleased that the Office of Inspector General has concluded that there was ‘no evidence, nor even the suggestion, of impropriety, unscrupulous behavior, favoritism towards Sinclair, or lack of impartiality related to the proposed Sinclair-Tribune Merger,'” Pai said in a statement.
Pai said he merely called on the FCC to update its outdated media ownership regulations to match the realities of the modern marketplace.
- 8/27/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated
Washington — FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that an investigation has concluded that his office found no evidence of impropriety or favoritism by his office toward Sinclair Broadcast Group, which was seeking to merge with Tribune Media.
The inspector general, David Hunt, launched an investigation at the request of Democrats on Capitol Hill. They outlined a series of moves they said raised questions of whether Pai was favoring Sinclair, including the relaxation of a key media ownership rule.
The full report is here.
“When asked specific questions as to whether any actions that ultimately may have inured to Sinclair’s benefit were influenced by any promises or threats either by Sinclair or any other entity, including President Trump or the Executive Office of President, the Chairman unequivocally replied in the negative,” Hunt wrote, adding that “we have found no evidence that would lead us to question these responses.”
The review...
Washington — FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that an investigation has concluded that his office found no evidence of impropriety or favoritism by his office toward Sinclair Broadcast Group, which was seeking to merge with Tribune Media.
The inspector general, David Hunt, launched an investigation at the request of Democrats on Capitol Hill. They outlined a series of moves they said raised questions of whether Pai was favoring Sinclair, including the relaxation of a key media ownership rule.
The full report is here.
“When asked specific questions as to whether any actions that ultimately may have inured to Sinclair’s benefit were influenced by any promises or threats either by Sinclair or any other entity, including President Trump or the Executive Office of President, the Chairman unequivocally replied in the negative,” Hunt wrote, adding that “we have found no evidence that would lead us to question these responses.”
The review...
- 8/27/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
Washington — FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that he stands by the agency’s decision to send the proposed merger of Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media to an administrative judge, after President Trump tweeted his dismay at the move as “unfair.”
On Tuesday evening, Trump tweeted that it was “so sad and unfair that the FCC wouldn’t approve the Sinclair Broadcast merger with Tribune. This would have been a great and much needed Conservative voice for and of the People. Liberal Fake News NBC and Comcast gets approved, much bigger, but not Sinclair. Disgraceful!”
At an oversight hearing on Wednesday, Pai was asked by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-n.J.) whether he agreed with Trump’s tweet. Pai responded, “I stand by our decision.”
Last week, Pai and other commissioners voted to send the proposed merger to an administrative law judge, a move that will add...
On Tuesday evening, Trump tweeted that it was “so sad and unfair that the FCC wouldn’t approve the Sinclair Broadcast merger with Tribune. This would have been a great and much needed Conservative voice for and of the People. Liberal Fake News NBC and Comcast gets approved, much bigger, but not Sinclair. Disgraceful!”
At an oversight hearing on Wednesday, Pai was asked by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-n.J.) whether he agreed with Trump’s tweet. Pai responded, “I stand by our decision.”
Last week, Pai and other commissioners voted to send the proposed merger to an administrative law judge, a move that will add...
- 7/25/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
After a marathon five hours of testimony yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg returned to Congress today to address another round of questions about privacy and the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Oregon, opened the hearing calling Facebook an American success story — a company that embodies the nation’s principles of freedom of speech and association. But reports that data about millions of users had been harvested without their consent raises troubling questions about privacy and trust.
“While Facebook has certainly grown, I worry it has not matured,” Walden said. “I think it is time to ask whether Facebook may have moved too fast and broken too many things.”
Rep. Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat, said the Cambridge Analtica revelations — in which a political consultancy bought data about millions of Facebook users from an app developer and used it to sway voters in the...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Oregon, opened the hearing calling Facebook an American success story — a company that embodies the nation’s principles of freedom of speech and association. But reports that data about millions of users had been harvested without their consent raises troubling questions about privacy and trust.
“While Facebook has certainly grown, I worry it has not matured,” Walden said. “I think it is time to ask whether Facebook may have moved too fast and broken too many things.”
Rep. Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat, said the Cambridge Analtica revelations — in which a political consultancy bought data about millions of Facebook users from an app developer and used it to sway voters in the...
- 4/11/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg suited up for a second day in the D.C. hot seat, repeating apologies to a U.S. House of Representatives committee for the company’s missteps in letting consulting firm Cambridge Analytica improperly secure a massive trove of user data.
“It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent [Facebook’s] tools from being used for harm,” Zuckerberg said at the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing. “It was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”
“It’s gonna take some time to work through all of the changes we need to make, but I’m committed to getting this right,” Zuckerberg added. He also told the House committee that his own personal info was included in the data set that wound up on Cambridge Analytica’s servers.
Zuckerberg’s opening...
“It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent [Facebook’s] tools from being used for harm,” Zuckerberg said at the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing. “It was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”
“It’s gonna take some time to work through all of the changes we need to make, but I’m committed to getting this right,” Zuckerberg added. He also told the House committee that his own personal info was included in the data set that wound up on Cambridge Analytica’s servers.
Zuckerberg’s opening...
- 4/11/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Mark Zuckerberg is headed to Washington, D.C. The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced on Wednesday the Facebook chief executive will testify on April 11th at 10 a.m. Et. Zuckerberg will answer questions on the social network’s protection and use of user data. Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-or) and ranking member Frank Pallone (D-nj) had called on Zuckerberg to testify in the aftermath of the Cambridge Analytica data leak, where 50 million users unknowingly had their data taken by the political consulting firm in 2014. Facebook didn’t publicly acknowledge the leak until it was reported last month by the New York Times. Also...
- 4/4/2018
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Washington — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify about the company’s data practices before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on April 11.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-n.J.), its top Democrat, said in a statement that the hearing “will be an important opportunity to shed light on critical consumer data privacy issues and help all Americans better understand what happens to their personal information online.”
They added, “We appreciate Mr. Zuckerberg’s willingness to testify before the committee, and look forward to him answering our questions on April 11.”
A Facebook spokesman said conversations are continuing with other committees about Zuckerberg appearing before those panels. Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee are seeking appearances by Zuckerberg, in the wake of the reports that Cambridge Analytica, the U.K. political data firm used by Donald Trump’s presidential campaign,...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-n.J.), its top Democrat, said in a statement that the hearing “will be an important opportunity to shed light on critical consumer data privacy issues and help all Americans better understand what happens to their personal information online.”
They added, “We appreciate Mr. Zuckerberg’s willingness to testify before the committee, and look forward to him answering our questions on April 11.”
A Facebook spokesman said conversations are continuing with other committees about Zuckerberg appearing before those panels. Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee are seeking appearances by Zuckerberg, in the wake of the reports that Cambridge Analytica, the U.K. political data firm used by Donald Trump’s presidential campaign,...
- 4/4/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
Mark Zuckerberg’s apology tour might not be over just yet. The Facebook co-founder and chief executive has been called to testify in front of a House of Representatives committee on Thursday, in the aftermath of millions of users having their information leaked to a political data firm. Zuckerberg is “the right witness to provide answers to the American people,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden and top Democrat rep Frank Pallone said in a statement. “The latest revelations regarding Facebook’s use and security of user data raises many serious consumer protection concerns. After committee staff received a briefing yesterday...
- 3/22/2018
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
With Sinclair Broadcasting’s game-changing acquisition of Tribune Media likely just weeks from final approval, the Federal Communications Commission’s independent watchdog is reportedly investigating dealings between Sinclair and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The New York Times disclosed the probe, which it said has been in motion since December but had not previously come to light, citing confirmation from Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the committee…...
- 2/15/2018
- Deadline TV
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