voted 3 - 2. a partyline vote to illuminate a 42-year-old ban on a cross ownership of newspaper and tv station and in a major market which was a major hurdle for the proposed merger between the sinclair broadcast group and the tribune corporation. in about 50 minutes, we will hear from the vice presidents of those companies. but first, back to the fcc where the commissioner spoke to reporters after the public meeting. , on. >> hello everybody. thank you. the floor is yours. >> all right. today was an exciting day for

technological innovation at the fcc. we took significant steps to unlock the next generation of wireless connectivity, broadband network and broadcasting. to advance the next generation 5g wireless services we committed to making another 1700 megahertz available for wireless use. we also streamlined the rules for wireless in the structure deployment which will help pave the way for 5g networks and services. to advance broadband, we voted to expedite the transition from legacy hopper networks to modern fiber networks. billions of dollars spent to maintain the feeding copper networks of yesterday will be freed up to build high-speed networks for tomorrow. that will help bridge the digital divide. to advance broadcasting, we offer a new standard on the voluntary market basis and it will open the door to a substantially improved free, over the air television

broadcast service in the video marketplace. of course, much more than that. one last thing, i can't help but know, college basketball season has started and kansas beat kentucky and that will certainly improve my mood. with that i'll open it up to any questions you might have. :

>> >>. >> hello. my question is once the merger is approved by that sec how do competitors deal with complaints with antitrust complaints with the procedure?. >> if there is the complaint typically field it by either the department of justice or

the of ftc for antitrust matters. for those that approved the merger that agency would take the lead. >> i am from "politico." so with net neutrality restoring internet freedom if you can finish this proceeding by the end of the year. >> i will not make any announcements today on that. sorry. >> there has been criticism recently there was some request from the hill. have you turned over all the information members of congress want with the ideas

that you are tailoring decisions to benefit sinclair?. >> officials can say literally anything and some do. but in this particular case where record is clear with my time as commissioner and since then i have had a consistent view of media ownership to starts with a proposition that the media ownership regulation should match the marketplace every decision was based on the facts to make the appropriate judgment in the public interest so many of those suggestions along the lines of what you suggested. >> so of all the people have to buy a television set in five years ocean congress take actions?.

>> the concern is misplaced. >> what about after five years?. >> in five years that is so long time but right now improving the technical standard we're so far away from that point but to suggest hypothetically they may have to get said new device doesn't prove anything this would not apply to any other segment of the communications industry survey not technology companies with the mother may i approach here in washington. >> mr. chairman a few things i want to clarify the cyberitems so with the notification requirement the services so that would work still find?. >> correct so o basically

are two different categories category one is a change your service category two is discontinuing the service. in the first category we talk about notice in the second category then to 14 process that is the of bifurcation they're talking about. >> go to our heels. >> blue devils. [laughter] >> you criticize apple to put chips in the phones are

you urging verizon to do so given there are reports they purposely block radio chips chips?. >> the report that just came mount?. >> i was assured there is a story that justin now this week but generally speaking you know my overall philosophy they cannot require these to be activated. >> you cannot require that service provider?. >> if that is applicable to service provider then you have to take a look. >> when the sec voted to reinstate the discount there was some talking with a look

at it again going hand-in-hand but there may have been a mention is that still in the works. >> i cannot make any announcements on the sides by meetings but i will say that we are continuing the approach to go hand-in-hand as opposed to piecemeal. >> it is still in consideration?. >> is. >>. >> my editor is asking. [laughter] i don't want to identify him. [laughter] but he says eight seems a rather high number does that

include the h.f. stations in the community? so basically there has to be eight stations independently owned? until there is the approval?. >> that was the previous rule gives there were not eight independently owned tv stations. >> so i have a? one. so there was a budget control cop or a budget control mechanism that was $823 million and north that is accurate but that would cut the funding by more than half. depending on the current level of funding. >> so to seek that a few weeks ago but there is a very specific number what

the budget cap should be. going back to the previous comments they do have a cap but to insure the integrity so we hope we can reach a consensus at this point. >> commissioner cliburn said doing this now reverses the efforts of the diversity committee and is upset there is no data collection that day are not based on how she thinks they should be so can you explain why you take this action now collecting that demographic data?. >> there are two different points. with the previous majority

generally they rejected the entire idea several years ago. what is remarkable the complaint is surfacing now when did different chair is in control. but second, all we are doing that we have decided to do with that draft is to establish the incubator program to comment on the program and what it should be so there's no reason i can think of by the advisory committee number one provides that recommendation or why would they would be precluded from working in tandem what that incubator program should be. specifically to tap that diversity committee with the various members to say this is important to me. and to broadcast diversity

generally we have a working group on this issue so get to work as soon as you can. >> i thought she was referring solely to the incubator program but i could be wrong. >> [inaudible] >> studying this issue for many years it is well established that ticket itself has a -- has affirmed the impropriety for the broadcast will over years we're just recognizing the fact that we will base our

decision on what is a valid it is not time for further delay for the sake of delay. >> you talk specifically about your travels around the country, a conversations have you had since she became chairman roughly speaking?. >> they didn't ask with them when i met them about being a subscriber on the outskirts of reno. >> so that underscores that day to give you the example

that we need infrastructure we are lucky if we can even get 2g and some are on the wrong side of the divide. so the various tribes from alaska to washington state or oregon or new mexico you voice support for those proposals we put on the table for the tribal land the previous sec order that we ratified today the only thing here is the identity of the person of the commission not the validity of the idea itself. >> can you tell us if you had any contacts with the inspector general's office or any media ownership rules?. >> no.

okay. have a great day. >> now we will transition to the press conference. >> so go in in order of items on the agenda but first item was roll-call is there any another question? please come up if you're here. >> that draft tighter released a few weeks ago but then with that further notice that included the

questions so a day elaborate a little bit? said to have questions on two topics in bin if they gather to gauge the effectiveness of the rules. part of that or how we can ensure that that erroneous blocking of calls for those that choose to block to implement a simple process to make those corrections and also asking questions from further notice how the

process could be made more effective. >> the same editor. [laughter] how many communities have more than eight stations?. >> those are media issues but this is consumer. >> we will go through that with the roll-call issue we will get to that. >> so now we move to the other questions.

[inaudible conversations] spread we're waiting for what the question will be. >> i'm sorry. >> so the satellite operators ask them to make changes that was on the draft to exclude the stations and now so released to cap those individually? but how did they apply that to those other spans end

what about the final version of the items?. >>. >> the best way to answer that there were some adjustments. >>. >>. >> the next item on sorry but the next one is the zero wireline infrastructure any

questions on that item any questions of life line?. >> so the media bureau? there actually three media of euro items you can proceed on any of those. >> can you explain the final version? that is not in the handout. senegal as you heard.

[inaudible] >> yes there is the presumptive waiver. >> questions?. >> the commissioner cliburn talked-about mentioning privacy late this morning what is that?. >> there is the item regarding privacy. that doesn't create the privacy rules?. >> it is not substantive. >> so when the item comes out to a the programming

rates to implement the simulcast requirements to make you cannot get access to the rights for both stream she don't have to follow the requirements?. >> it does provide some programming access the data is exactly how it is framed. >> [inaudible] >> does anybody know from those independently owned stations? you can shake your head. nobody knows of he and. -- of he and. and just to make sure that

included you hf and phf systems -- stations?. >> yes. >> anything further? the commissioners are here for the aircraft -- press conference and also commissioner car. >> i am cold and hungry. [laughter] any questions?. >> talking about media ownership likely there will be a sequel so what has

changed not necessarily with the media landscape but to address those concerns?. >> the item if you see the document with bad availability the chairman is taken off of pilot to make it permanent which is a wonderful occurrence in then do a change now that we have made them public? the answer is yes. a number of things have changed but in general if you read the item you will see it is quite expensive in the information why the concerns have been addressed and no longer applicable so it provides an opportunity to see a different outcome. there is a number of things

i don't even know the of logistics'. >> how do you feel about the commissioners suggestion it is holding a rulemaking?. >> we had issues since a 1996 when the original provision was put in and nothing had changed with very little modification since then. went at the quadrennial i think did not acknowledge what was happening in the marketplace now it is up for reconsideration by the we have done work incredibly expensive they have known their political outcomes but hopefully we can succeed to get over the barriers and then in 2018 we can do this quicker next year.

>> you mentioned with those second screens that exist you wanted those caps removed in you could not discuss that but could you explain that. [laughter] >> i said i asked to raise the question if we should if there should be removed and one did not appreciate that and it did not make it into the final cut so often we allow questions to go even if we disagree but. >> will the topic comes up again?. >> i imagine it will. the chairman says the schedule so i don't know but certainly i have interest to raise it i imagine it will come back in some form or fashion.

>> with what you teed up today going forward is having a minimum contribution of some kind a red line to all the vote for the order?. >> the only requirement is a pass to have a budget to see how it people come back once they took off the blinders to say do something a lot -- along those lines there is no way to collect any cash no transaction with the consumers they thought about did a little bit and said people buy more services than it is an opportunity to cut off at that point so some ideas put forward i do think there is something

that makes a pretty compelling argument. >> that was an interesting response from both of you doing trouble --- travel recently roughly how many conversations do you have?. >> i cannot quantify but i have talked to a number of people i've met with the group's this last week and i understand the fight that people have i am trying not to extract dollars from folks that our destitute or don't have it or the capability or any prospect to do that and from my conversations i have had with people over the years certainly trying to figure out what could be done in this space? that one time i

suggested everybody with that argument to say i don't have the bank account i don't have dollars what to expect from the? have had those conversations. >> with bad open-door policy from all walks of life? than with those categories they fall into but we have met with a wide range of people. >> say you thank you have? that is a shorter time than your colleagues?. >> is meeting with the broad range of stakeholders around the country and i had an open door with all those meetings.

>> do you agree it will require all consumers to have vague new converter box in five years and also with at&t and verizon you should not require viewers to pay for broadcast services they are not receiving?. >> we have no idea which direction this is going. we don't know what broadcasters will take up maybe not even having interest going forward. just today we are willing to accept the standard i the one that in my rules and is in the commission's rules but i was willing to go along with the process it is way too early to analyze those questions. they are appropriate but it is way too early we are not disbanding today so we will

be here to listen to those arguments with converter boxes in my statement we did have that conversation of that 2005 legislation was a part of when we adopted the original peace in 1996 and the commission that adopted that long before was in place so time to consider all of those components and variations something and want to keep my eye on to early to set up one in phoenix with those different components but it is way too early to lay down the law and respect. >> old lady think it will

require them to buy a new television sort converter boxes? what if they pay for a service they are not getting?. >> we have a lot of experience with transitions we have analog service and also 2g there are concerns with those the only have the of 2g followed we have a five-year transition period. there is no decision that we have made that says if negative consequences happened we do nothing. we said in the five-year sunset the emir's other transitions of have been successful we will be here to address any issues that might come up so it gets ahead of ourselves to sadies are negative experiences that is not the case. >> part of the proposal is

pending i think it is 70% that they have their service through their resellers so will they fill that gap? the line carious why you supported that proposal in the concerns and why they're not a part of the program?. >> we put that in the interim of the proposal maya to standing that is a number but itself it is not non facilities based we will adopt a record and move forward in we are seeking ways to reform the program to target support for people

that need it and we will see how the record develop. >> i agree with that we are looking to explore this issue we will hear comments and get more data points for those points that you raise everyone have a lovely day. any more questions? [inaudible conversations] >> i should know that my colleagues do this but you need to hear from the other side and from someone who can still we an optimist despite the delays that we

had here today. that being said all of you probably want lunch and then we can ask some good questions. >> i think my question is is with the votes have there been opportunities for compromises under these proposals that he talks about in a bipartisan manner? do you see the actions to back it up?. >> i am a patient optimist i will try a two wait up until the last minute with discussions and the changes we could make into the late hours last april there are some ways in which we supported things today and

others clearly against it but i will not give up trying to make changes and trying to convince my colleagues to see things a little differently and work with me in the process. >> you had previously released a statement with the santry link merger about the merger of the new standards and how they changed with the balancing test being removed. talking about the sinclair item or the media mergers in general saw how reduce see that president going forward for transactions like sinclair the balancing test change?. >> for several decades that the fcc had a balancing test used in its transactions it looks at the merger harms

and benefits and you can go back decades and see what reflects that approach but quietly without warning in a very big transaction recently the agency just changed the standard. and as part of administrative law we should of had a rule making on that when an agency change is the standard i think that should be subject to notice and comment so i dissented on that transaction to make note of that change color was issued quietly and without warning in what is most concerning that is the standard for the next big transaction coming your way which is the public broadcasting company. >> you said all are custom built for sinclair? wed is motivating your colleagues?

what is that evidence?. >> i cannot tell you with any type of clarity what is motivating my colleagues in what is in their heads but only what i think for where i sit that we have a engaged in a series of media policy changes that this agency that a striking in the one thing they have common, they're all custom built for a company called sinclair broadcasting. we have to change a joint services agreement policy, we have changed the uhf and vhf discount now the media ownership rules and now authorized a new television standard which this company owns most of the patents. i can only get those data points and facts to tell you that there is a common

thread throughout all of those efforts and initiatives. >> do you fear the concern that chairman pai should recuse himself over any sinclair matters for these reasons?. >> by a appreciate that many have written requesting that he do so. >> you don't take a position personally? fracking think it is striking that many have written many members asking that he do so i don't remember in my history of working here of that ever happening before. >> commissioner clyburn mentioned the court stepping into the matter so what does that look like?. >> i believe she was talking about the media ownership position and this agency made several trips to the

court of appeals on this subject in my expectation they will review our hidden works here in the future as well. >> welcome back. do you think the ig investigation with chairman pai relationship with sinclair broadcasting is a good idea?. >> i believe that a lot of members of congress believe that should be done. >> you don't have a position? rebecca think it is striking. [laughter] i would also point out it is unprecedented. >>. is a treat to be back period it is a privilege maybe we

can agree to some things and make some noise. thanks for what you do. [inaudible conversations] [laughter] next time i will bring coffee. [inaudible conversations]

said the neck when i first got there we obviously had issues send the one that was defining when the president makes it decision to hit syria after the chemical

weapons, when he made that decision the number of calls in emails i was seeing from countries seeing it is so good to see america lead again. that was unlike any to me because they felt we were dormant they feel weaker with the u.s. does not lead. they want us to wait in and leave on the international stage and that they feel more confident. will either japan or south korea or north korea or the arab partners all of those it is important for us to know the power of our voice in what leadership means to the world