NAB Show Welcome Event to Feature FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, February 26, 2020

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Gordon Smith will participate in a keynote conversation Monday, April 20 during the NAB Show Welcome event at 9:00 a.m. on the Main Stage in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The industry's top regulator and the head of NAB will discuss communications policy issues before the FCC, including spectrum policy and media ownership.

The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America's communications law and regulations.

Designated FCC chairman by President Donald Trump in January 2017, Pai subscribes to a regulatory philosophy centered on ensuring that FCC rules reflect the realities of the current marketplace. Under his leadership, the FCC has been working to update media regulations to better match today's dynamic media marketplace, shepherding the Next Gen TV regulatory process, and carrying out legislation directing the TV spectrum repack. Pai previously served as commissioner at the FCC, appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate in May 2012.

Prior to joining NAB in 2009, Smith was a two-term U.S. senator from Oregon, serving on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues.

The NAB Show Welcome event will also feature Smith's "State of the Broadcast Industry" address and the presentation of the NAB Distinguished Service Award.