ERIC Number: ED298549
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1988-Nov
Pages: 31
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
FCC Policy and AM Stereo: From Governmental Standard-Setting to the Marketplace.
Huff, W. A. Kelly
Historically, radio broadcasting has been affected by innovational, social, technological, and economic change. For instance, FM (frequency modulation) radio emerged out of a desire to free broadcasting of static noise common to AM (amplitude modulation) signals. The eventual response by AM was to improve the technology of the signal. The inquiry for the feasibility of stereo broadcasting for AM and the suitable technological standard to set began in 1977. By 1982 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revealed an intention to allow the marketplace to decide the fate of AM stereo. During these years several actions by the FCC indicated that it was uncertain of its proper regulatory role. The process of wrestling with whether to set a technological standard led the FCC to question its own responsibility in such matters. Ultimately, the FCC determined that it was not responsible for the success or failure of any particular technology and that the proper technology selection should be passed on to the marketplace. (One table of data is included, and 110 references are appended.) (MS)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A