Radio Act

The Radio Act of 1912 was the initial U.S. legislation attempting to regulate broadcasting. However, it proved insufficient as radio technology rapidly advanced and its use expanded beyond ship-to-shore communication. The act mandated that the Secretary of Commerce issue licenses but offered little discretion in rejecting applications, leading to a chaotic and overcrowded airwave environment with significant interference.123

This lack of regulation prompted calls for change, culminating in the Radio Act of 1927. This landmark legislation established the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) to oversee federal control of the airwaves. It introduced the concept that airwaves are a public resource, requiring broadcasters to obtain licenses and operate in the "public interest, convenience, or necessity". The FRC was empowered to assign frequencies and regulate broadcast hours, laying the groundwork for future communications policy in the United States.1342