Media policies in the United States are made by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.

Media policy is also made by the president, the courts, and state and local governments.

All of these agencies and branches of government have different roles and responsibilities:

Congress

• Enacts media law (mainly through the Senate Commerce and House Energy & Commerce committees)
• Appropriates funding for public broadcasting
• Can overrule FCC decisions and regulations

Federal Communications Commission

• Regulates broadcasting, telephone, cable and satellite companies
• Ensures that those who use the airwaves serve the public interest
• Enforces regulations and laws passed by Congress

Courts

• Judge whether FCC regulations meet Congress’ requirements
• Decide the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress
• Interpret First Amendment rights

President

• Appoints FCC commissioners, directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and others
• Sets policy goals for the FCC and proposes budgets
• Can veto legislation affecting media

State and Local Governments

• Decide which companies are allowed to provide cable and telecommunications services to a community
• Negotiate contracts with cable companies that can provide public access TV channels
• Can create (or block) Community Internet projects providing high-speed Internet access