‘We need the Einstein of the Internet Age’: Interview with Steven Wildman, FCC Chief Economist

Abstract

With the digitisation of all forms of media content, and the convergence of media industries, platforms and services, many of the longstanding assumptions of media policy and regulation are thrown into question. In particular, the idea that one can pursue platform-based regulation, and enact laws and policies related to the content delivered through that platform, is now becoming less relevant as content is accessed across multiple platforms and devices, and as content users are themselves increasingly content creators. For policy makers throughout the world, new questions are being raised about how to transform laws and regulations for twenty-first century media, if we assume that the ‘public interest’ principles that have traditionally informed media regulation remain relevant. These issues are discussed in an interview with Professor Steven Wildman, who was from 2012–14. Wildman was at this time the Chief Economist of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Professor Wildman was interviewed by Terry Flew at the FCC offices in Washington, DC in September 2013.