Fernandez Selected For FCC Committee

CBS Radio President & CEO Andre Fernandez has been selected by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to serve on the Commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE). The 31-member committee, comprised of leaders from media and telecom companies, the financial world, civil rights groups, think tanks, public interest groups and trade associations, will meet for the first time on Monday, September 25.

The ACDDE’s mission is to provide recommendations to the FCC on how to empower disadvantaged communities and accelerate the entry of small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities, into the media, digital news and information, and audio and video programming industries. The Committee will also make recommendations on how to ensure that disadvantaged communities are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks.

“I am pleased to see the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment get up and running,” Chairman Pai said. “All Americans should have the opportunity to participate in the communications marketplace, no matter their race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. I hope this committee will help our agency take important steps towards increasing diversity throughout the communications industry and bringing digital opportunity to all Americans.”

Chairman Pai has designated Julia Johnson, President of NetCommunications, LLC, to serve as Chair of the ACDDE, and Diane Sutter, President/CEO of ShootingStar Broadcasting, to serve as Vice Chair. A complete list of all committee members is posted online for your perusal.