Inform Viewers About Digital-TV Changeover

INFORM VIEWERS ABOUT DIGITAL-TV CHANGEOVER
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Paula Kerger, Public Broadcasting Service]
[Commentary] America is only a year away from a fundamental change in television, and too many in our nation are unprepared for it. Federal law requires that on Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power television stations stop broadcasting in analog format and begin broadcasting only in digital. Television remains our society's great equalizer. Not every home has a computer, but almost every American home has a television. In the weeks and months to come, information and recommendations about digital television will come from many directions -- from the private sector, the federal government, a range of broadcast entities and interest groups. The issue is fundamental for PBS. Our programming is available to 99 percent of America's TV households and we want to make certain that is the case a year from now, when the transition is complete. This is especially important for the many households that depend on us as their sole source of television and for the minority, older and rural populations that will be disproportionately affected. It will take a consistent, coordinated and well-funded grass-roots effort. America's television viewers are entitled to nothing less.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/09/AR2008030901519.html
(requires registration)