Will the new Congress be favorable...

...to the communications industries?

That intriguing question is answered by the Radio Television Digital News Association in this report sent by its legal arm. These are the most important comments, in my opinion:

The release of reams of confidential (and sometimes classified) State Department information by WikiLeaks, coupled with earlier leaks of information related to the war in Afghanistan, has caused great consternation on Capitol Hill. ... Congressional attention on the issue could result in legislation to clarify and update the Espionage Act, or expand the authority of the Federal government to prosecute individuals and websites that release confidential or classified materials.
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If final passage of a federal reporter shield law fails in the 111th Congress, its prospects in the next Congress will wane.
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Legislation that would open federal courts, including the Supreme Court, to cameras in the courtroom may face a similarly difficult path in the next Congress.
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It is possible that the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee could return to the issue of the future of journalism over the next two years.  Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) mentioned the declining quality of television news (particularly with respect to 24-hour cable news) in a recent hearing on retransmission consent reform.  He suggested that the Commerce Committee needed to take a closer look at television programming issues to find a way to promote quality over quantity. 
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FCC Commissioner Michael Copps’s term expired in June 2010, but by statute he is permitted to remain on the Commission until he or a replacement is confirmed, or Congress adjourns for the year in 2011.  The Senate is awaiting the Administration’s decision whether it will re-nominate Commissioner Copps or name a replacement.  Once that choice is made, it will need to confirm that appointment next year or leave the Commission with a 2-2 split.