Kid's Viewing Tops FCC Chairman's Agenda

A Q&A with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski covering the viability of broadcast television, enforcing indecency, media ownership consolidation, localism, disclosure, children's television programming, and broadcast TV spectrum.

Chairman Genachowski says the core justification for enforcing public interest obligations on TV stations is as strong as ever. "The door is open for ideas on the best ways to make sure that we have a broadcasting industry that's healthy, vibrant and serves the public interest. The public has always had a special contract with broadcasters. There are multiple parts to that contract and American consumers expect broadcasters to serve the public interest. There are still 10 to 15 million Americans who rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasting. It's their only immediate source of news and emergency information. Even in homes that have other video services, broadcasting is very often the leading source of news and information, so it continues to play an important role. Obviously there are big changes going on in the video marketplace that are creating big challenges that need to be tackled."