FCC Releases Chairman Ajit Pai's Response To Senate Panel's Letter On First Amendment Position

Pai

The FCC has released Chairman AJIT PAI's response to a letter from the Senators on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation after his appearance at the oversight hearing two weeks ago, answering a series of questions posed by the panel, which criticized his "lack of full transparency" at the hearing and his "refusal to answer straightforward questions about how you view the media and whether you will uphold the First Amendment rights of journalists and media outlets."

The letter from the panel asked six questions, which PAI answered with one-word yes-or-no responses:

1) Do you believe the media is the "enemy" of the American people?

No.

2) Can you assure us that you will exercise your authority as chairman of the FCC to
regulate the media in an impartial manner?

Yes.

3) Will you commit to us that the FCC will not act in a manner that violates the First
Amendment and stifles or penalizes free speech by electronic media, directly or
indirectly, even if requested by the administration?

Yes.

4) Did you commit to the administration, as a condition for your elevation or
renomination as chairman of the FCC, to take any action against a specific media
entity or generally against broadcast entities, cable network owners or other media
outlets?

No.

5) Will you commit to us that you will exercise your authority as chairman of the FCC in
a manner that fully respects the absolute independence of the agency from the
executive branch?

Yes.

6) Finally, will you commit to inform us and the public of any attempt by the White
House or by any executive branch official to influence your decision-making or direct
you to take or not take any action with respect to media interests within your
jurisdiction, including the license renewal applications for broadcasters (whether or
not such contacts fall under the ex parte rules or other legal or ethical rules applicable
to the FCC)?

Yes.

PAI wrote, "A free media is vital to our democracy. That is why during my time at the Commission I have consistently opposed any effort to infringe upon the freedom of the press and have fought to eliminate regulations that impede the gathering and dissemination of news. For example, in my 2016 dissent to the Commission's media ownership order, I said, '{o]f course, newspaper reporters continue to do important work throughout our country each and every day. Many were recently reminded of the impact that their stories can have through the 2015 film "Spotlight," which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The movie focused on THE BOSTON GLOBE's investigation into widespread child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests in and around BSOTON -- reporting that ended up having a worldwide impact on the Catholic Church. But given the newspaper industry's profound financial troubles, it is becoming harder and harder for publications to do this type of investigatory journalism, hold our elected officials to account, and let Americans know what is going on in their communities.'

"So long as I am privileged to serve as Chairman, I will continue to respect the First
Amendment.

"I should note that at the hearing, I was asked if I agreed with the President that the media was the 'enemy' of the people. However, the President has made clear that he was referring to 'fake news.' As I stated at the hearing, these comments are part of a larger political debate into which I will not be wading."

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