In Memoriam - Roy J. Stewart

By the time you read this, many of you will have learned Roy Stewart, former FCC Media Bureau Chief, passed away last week. Roy Stewart was one of a kind and holds a special place in the hearts and minds of nearly every person involved with media law and regulation in the last 50 years.

Roy began service with the FCC a few years before me as an attorney in the Television Applications Branch in what was then the Broadcast Bureau. When I joined the FCC, I had the pleasure of joining his carpool along with Dan Olbaum and Joe Chakin. Many a serious conversation about FCC policy and the future course of the broadcasting industry occurred in that carpool. Roy was serious and dedicated to the FCC. In 1974, he was appointed Chief of the Transfer Branch, and in December of 1979, he was made Chief of the Broadcast Bureau Renewal and Transfer Division. Following the reorganization of the Broadcast Bureau in 1982, he became Chief of the Mass Media Bureau's Video Services Division and in 1989 was appointed Chief of the Mass Media Bureau, and served as Chief of the Media Bureau longer than any other Chief.

During his tenure as Chief of the Bureau, Roy Stewart was instrumental in guiding the Commission through difficult times for broadcasting and through the emergence of cable television as a force in video entertainment and news. Throughout, he championed broadcasters as the most important providers of critical news and public service communications. He was a vigilant and constant reminder to broadcasters of their public service obligations, constantly inspiring and challenging the industry to strive for greatness in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Communications Act. Roy was also a strong advocate for minority programs for broadcasters, taking personal interest in EEO and refusing to let its enforcement go to another bureau when the Commission was reorganizing its enforcement functions and creating the Enforcement Bureau.

Roy will be remembered for many things, but one of them is his efficiencies as an administrator, making sure that the Division processed applications in a timely manner to serve the needs of broadcasters. Never to be taken advantage of, he understood the importance of getting broadcasters the response and service they need and when they needed it.

A gruff demeanor and some thought he really took pride in it. To those who knew him, it was clear that underneath that gruff demeanor lived a heart of gold. Many lawyers, myself included, took pleasure in telling a client that if Roy yelled at you, that meant that he really loved you. He took special delight in the opportunity he had to meet celebrities. He once told me that Clint Eastwood stopped by to visit him to advocate for a position in an application. Mr.Eastwood got up to leave and Roy told him, "Oh, no, you can't leave before signing these 10 pictures for my kids and their friends."

Roy will be remembered by all of his friends as a dedicated public servant, committed to the best that broadcasters can be while serving the public interest. I am proud that he was my friend.

This column is provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice pertaining to any specific factual situation. Legal decisions should be made only after proper consultation with a legal professional of your choosing.