Legislators Take Aim At FCC Localism Proposals

More than 120 legislators have signed onto a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin asking him not to impose any localism mandates on broadcasters. The letter says the FCC is considering a "radical re-regulation" of broadcasting, and takes aim at FCC proposals to create community advisory boards, require broadcasters to report on programming in a variety of categories, and to located their studios in their community of license and have their stations staffed at all times. The legislators argue that creating the boards and program lists would add unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, create constitutional problems and burden broadcasters with requirements not imposed on cable, satellite, or the Internet.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6552169.html

* Text of letter
http://blackburn.house.gov/UploadedFiles/4-15-2008_Localism%20Letter%20Signed%20Final.pdf