FCC Chairman heeds advice of Knight Commission, appoints Internet leader to explore, implement Commission's Recommendations

The FCC announced it is responding to the calls by the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy for "new thinking and aggressive action" by appointing Steven Waldman, an online pioneer and journalist, to explore the information needs of communities and "promote a vibrant media landscape."  In a press release, the FCC quotes the Knight Commission’s Report, Informing Communities: Sustaining Democracy in the Digital Age, announcing the appointment of Waldman "to lead an agency-wide initiative to assess the state of media in these challenging economic times and make recommendations designed to ensure a vibrant media landscape."  According to the press release, Waldman will join the Office of Strategic Planning and serve as Senior Advisor to Chairman Julius Genachowski, and "work with the relevant FCC bureaus and lead an open, fact-finding process to craft recommendations to meet the traditional goals of serving the public interest and making sure that all Americans receive the information, educational content, and news they seek". Read more: FCC Press Release. Knight Commission Report.