public airwaves
Shared transmission frequencies
The public airwaves are the radio frequencies used for broadcast television and radio, considered a public resource regulated by the government rather than privately owned.
Broadcasters receive licenses to use these frequencies in exchange for serving the public interest.
The term often appears in debates about media content and access: Violence on the public airwaves should be restricted, The candidate demanded equal time on the public airwaves.
- broadcast licenseAuthorization to transmit signals
- licensingGranting official permission
- emergency alertsUrgent public safety broadcasts
- freedom of speechProtected right to speak
- radio broadcastingAudio sent via frequencies
talk radio · transmitter · receiver · television broadcasting · prime time · channel surfing · over the air · political campaigns · amateur radio · antenna · advertising revenue · frequency modulation · digital signal · broadcasting standards · amplitude modulation · educational programming · mobile networks · satellite dish
public airwavescable
Heavy-duty woven line
internet · fiber optic · satellite · broadband · landline
public airwavessubscription services
Recurring payment for ongoing access
encrypted channels · private networks · pay television · cable television
public, airwave, publicly, publics, publication, publish, publisher, publishing, publicize