The Communications Act of 1934 was a landmark piece of legislation that established the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. This act emerged from a growing recognition of the need for a centralized regulatory authority in the rapidly evolving field of communications, particularly as radio broadcasting was becoming increasingly popular and essential for mass communication. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill into law, reflecting the federal government's intention to oversee and regulate the burgeoning communications landscape, which included telephones, telegraphs, and radio broadcasting.

Prior to the 1934 Act, communications were primarily regulated at the local and state levels, leading to fragmented oversight and inconsistent service quality. The federal government's intervention aimed to rectify these issues and promote more standardized policies across the nation. The FCC was mandated with the responsibility of regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Additionally, the Act aimed to promote the development of the services, encourage competition, and serve the public interest, a principle that still guides the FCC's mission today.

The act initiated the framework for modern communications policy, setting the stage for future technological advancements and regulatory approaches. It also addressed ownership limits, competition, and the allocation of frequencies, responses to concerns about monopolies and the proper functioning of communication services. Through the establishment of the FCC, this legislation underscored the federal government's role in ensuring that all citizens had access to reliable communication services, aiming to enhance the democratic process and facilitate the flow of information in an increasingly connected society.