NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: April 22, 2009 David Fiske (202) 418-0513 Acting Chairman Copps Announces Membership and Initial Meeting of Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age Washington D.C. – Michael J. Copps, Acting Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission announced the full membership of the Commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. The members are: Henry Rivera, Emma Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media (Chairperson) Rau?l Alarc?on, Jr., Spanish Broadcasting System Jenny Alonzo, Mio.TV James M. Assey, Jr., National Cable and Telecommunications Association Geoffrey C. Blackwell, Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. Matthew Blank, Showtime Networks Maria E. Brennan, American Women in Radio and Television Kathy Brown, Verizon Toni Cook Bush, Virgin Mobile Alan B. Davidson, Google, Inc. Ralph de la Vega, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets Steve Hillard, Council Tree Communications David Honig, Minority Media and Telecommunications Council Rodney Hood, National Credit Union Administration Ronald Johnson, Ronson Network Services Debra Lee, BET Holdings, Inc. Jane Mago, National Association of Broadcasters Robert Mendez, ABC Television Network Marc H. Morial, National Urban League Karen K. Narasaki, Asian American Justice Center Melissa Newman, Qwest Jake Oliver, Afro-American Newspapers Susan K. Patrick, Patrick Communications Lisa Pickrum, The RLJ Companies Rey Ramsey, One Economy Corporation Michael V. Roberts, Roberts Broadcasting Companies LLC Andrew Schwartzman, Media Access Project Anita Stephens Graham, Opportunity Capital Partners Diane Sutter, Shooting Star Broadcasting Charles Warfield, Inner City Broadcasting James Winston, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters The Diversity Committee’s mission is to make recommendations to the FCC regarding policies and practices that will further enhance the ability of minorities and women to participate in telecommunications and related industries. Issues to be considered by the Committee will include, but are not limited to, financial issues such as access to capital, transactional transparency, career advancement, and the impact of new and emerging technologies on diversity issues. The Diversity Committee is organized under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2 (1988). The committee is re-chartered through December 16, 2010. “I am extremely pleased to announce the membership of this vital Advisory Committee,” Acting Chairman Copps stated, “which will provide an important and independent voice for strengthening our commitment to diversity. The sad truth is that the diversity of this great nation is not reflected in the ownership of its media and telecommunications facilities. The time has come to chart a new course, to roll up our sleeves and get to work to craft sustainable solutions. I would like the Committee to convene as quickly as possible and, along with whatever priorities it has, to take up two issues that I believe warrant immediate attention: (1) recommendations regarding the state of past Commission Adarand studies and the nature, scope and methodology of any additional studies or updates that are necessary; and (2) recommendations on a “full file review” process that the FCC can implement on an interim basis and that builds on the work done by the prior Diversity Committee.” The Diversity Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting on May 7, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, in the Commission Meeting Room at the headquarters of the Federal Communications Commission, TW-C305, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554. The meeting is open to the general public. Real Audio access to the meeting will be available at www.fcc.gov/. For additional information, please contact Barbara Kreisman, (202) 418-1605, Barbara.Kreisman@fcc.gov or Jamila Bess Johnson, (202) 418-2608, Jamila- Bess.Johnson@fcc.gov -FCC- News and information about the Federal Communications Commission is available at www.fcc.gov