Background of the Media and Its Influences
Because Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, its media structure is very similar to that of the United State's. The media is generally privately-owned by large corporations (such as Telemundo, which is owned by NBC Universal) and some smaller corporations.
Puerto Rico also falls under the jurisdiction of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as it is a part of America, so it has some public owned broadcasting. From the CPB website, "Public broadcasting in Puerto Rico touches the lives of residents daily in their homes, schools and communities. The commonwealth's public television and public radio stations play a vital role in Puerto Rico education through their services for teachers and classrooms, parents and caregivers."
The CPB of Puerto Rico has four television stations and three radio stations. However, the CPB is not entirely public because it is listed as one of the commonwealth's government-owned corporations as can be seen in Puerto Rico's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2011. Because the government is responsible for the financing of the CPB, it may have more influence on the CPB than the broadcasting site leads the public to believe.
Puerto Rico's media is regulated by the US Federal Communications Commission, an independent government agency overseen by the US Congress. The FCC works with the public by using a "notice and comment" system to be the authority over communications law, regulation and technological innovation. If the FCC wants to add or change rules and regulations, it posts the proposed modifications for the public to comment on. The FCC then takes those comments into consideration.
Puerto Rico also falls under the jurisdiction of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as it is a part of America, so it has some public owned broadcasting. From the CPB website, "Public broadcasting in Puerto Rico touches the lives of residents daily in their homes, schools and communities. The commonwealth's public television and public radio stations play a vital role in Puerto Rico education through their services for teachers and classrooms, parents and caregivers."
The CPB of Puerto Rico has four television stations and three radio stations. However, the CPB is not entirely public because it is listed as one of the commonwealth's government-owned corporations as can be seen in Puerto Rico's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2011. Because the government is responsible for the financing of the CPB, it may have more influence on the CPB than the broadcasting site leads the public to believe.
Puerto Rico's media is regulated by the US Federal Communications Commission, an independent government agency overseen by the US Congress. The FCC works with the public by using a "notice and comment" system to be the authority over communications law, regulation and technological innovation. If the FCC wants to add or change rules and regulations, it posts the proposed modifications for the public to comment on. The FCC then takes those comments into consideration.
From the FCC’s website: “In its work facing economic opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving advances in global communications, the agency capitalizes on its competencies in:
- Promoting competition, innovation and investment in broadband services and facilities
- Supporting the nation's economy by ensuring an appropriate competitive framework for the unfolding of the communications revolution
- Encouraging the highest and best use of spectrum domestically and internationally
- Revising media regulations so that new technologies flourish alongside diversity and localism
- Providing leadership in strengthening the defense of the nation's communications infrastructure.”