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FCC WORKING GROUP REPORT:
THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES 
In culmination of its work over the last year, the FCC Working Group on the Information 
Needs of Communities today delivered a report addressing the rapidly changing media 
landscape in a broadband age.  
ORIGINS & MISSION
· In 2009, a bipartisan Knight Commission found that while the broadband age is enabling 
an information and communications renaissance, local communities, in particular, are 
being unevenly served with critical information about local issues. 
· In January 2010, the FCC initiated a staff-level working group to identify trends and 
make recommendations on how all the information needs of communities can be met in a 
broadband world.   
· The working group included journalists, entrepreneurs, scholars, and government 
officials.  The group, led by Steven Waldman (former reporter and CEO of 
Beliefnet.com), interviewed more than 600 individuals groups and organizations, 
collected over one thousand public comments, reviewed existing research, held multiple 
hearings and made site visits to newsrooms across the country.  
MAJOR FINDINGS
ØFueled primarily by broadband-enabled innovation, the news and information 
landscape is more vibrant than ever before.  Digital technology is creating a world of 
opportunity to keep the public informed in ways unimaginable just a few short years ago.  
ØThe disruptive impact of the Internet has enabled an unprecedented free exchange of 
ideas and information.  Breakthroughs in hyperlocal news and citizen journalism are on the 
rise, empowering individuals with a wealth of new information to better inform decision-
making and engender more accountable government.   
ØLocal news continues to play a vital role, with some stations seizing multiplatform 
opportunities. Newspapers & TV stations have emerged as the largest providers of local 
news online.  
ØAn abundance of media outlets does not necessarily translate into an abundance of 
reporting. In many communities, there are now more outlets, but less local accountability 
reporting. Where there are gaps, less quality local reporting can lead to less government 
accountability, worse schools, wasted taxpayer dollars, greater corruption and other 
problems.
ØCommercial and nonprofit media are now finding it increasingly advantageous to 
collaborate rather than compete.  Synergies between sectors are growing. 
ØThe nonprofit media sector has become more varied, and important, than ever before. 
Most of the players neither receive, nor seek, government funds.
 
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KEY RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE 
ØAccelerate move from paper to online disclosure. Disclosure information required by the 
FCC should be moved online from filing cabinets to the Internet so the public can more 
easily gain access to valuable information.  FCC should eliminate burdensome rules and 
streamline disclosures about local programming by moving files online. 
ØRemove barriers to innovation and online entrepreneurship by pushing for universal 
broadband deployment and adoption.  Achieving this goal would remove cost barriers, 
strengthen online business models, expand consumer pools and ensure that the news and 
information landscape serves communities to the maximum possible benefit of citizens.  
ØTarget existing federal spending at local media.  Existing government advertising 
spending, such military recruiting and public health ads, should be targeted toward local
media whenever possible. Each year, the federal government spends roughly $1 billion in 
advertising without maximizing potential benefits to local media. 
ØRepeal Fairness Doctrine, terminate localism proceeding and replace “enhanced 
disclosure” with a new streamlined system of online disclosure. Broadcasters would 
disclose amount of programming about the community and other important information. 
ØDiscourage “pay-for-play” arrangements – in which TV stations allow advertisers to 
dictate on-air content without disclosing to viewers – by requiring online disclosure of such 
arrangements.
ØRe-assess whether the satellite TV’s set-aside for educational programming and cable 
TV leased access systems are working; put satellite disclosure online.
ØThere should be state-based C-SPAN in every state. Cable and satellite operators, public 
broadcasters and PEG channels should work toward that goal, and policymakers should 
consider offering incentives for those media organizations that take such steps, or to those 
that provide support for local cable news operations.
ØRe-establish tax certificate program for small businesses including minorities and women.
ØPolicymakers should consider clarifications or changes in tax rules that would make it 
easier for nonprofit news operations to develop sustainable business models.
ØFocus on historically underserved when policymakers craft strategies and rules.