The FCC is “broken” and takes too long to respond to technological change and solve problems,rnsaid the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council in a response to the commission’s call for suggestionsrnon how to revamp procedures (CD Dec 6 p3). MMTC’s comments propose a litany of proceduralrntweaks to improve the commission’s speed and responsiveness to diversity issues and tech advancements.rnThe list includes the creation of a National Broadband Plan Advisory Committee to update the commission’srnbroadband plan every two years to “keep pace” with “disruptive technologies,” allowing commissionersrnother than the chairman to bring an item up for vote and a U.S. Supreme Court-style cert processrnfor applications for review. MMTC also suggested commission procedure could be sped up if major decisionsrnwere each assigned a specific commissioner to shepherd them so they move “through the agency to the 8th floor expeditiously." On diversity, MMTC suggested the Enforcement Bureau create a CivilrnRights Division, that the commission hire a chief diversity officer, and that a commissioner could take responsibilityrn“for inclusion and competitive opportunities for minority- and women-owned business enterprises.”rnMost of the suggested reforms could be adopted without congressional action, said MMTC.rn“Most of them would cost nothing and could produce savings for the Commission, as well as growth, jobrncreation and diversity for the regulated industries."
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