FCC OK's Kids TV Compromise

FCC OKs KIDS TV COMPROMISE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC Tuesday voted unanimously to approve compromise kids TV programming rules that set three-hour minimums of educational kids programmer per free multicast digital channel and sets new limits on commercials and links to Internet sites. Calling the process as important as the result, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said it was "critical" to recognize both media companies and advocates for producing a "template" for compromise, echoing the praise of the other commissioners. Commissioner Michael Copps said "There is no doubt that this item will advance the quality and quantity of children's programming," but he took the opportunity to say that it was time to establish public interest obligations for digital programming for adults as well. That sentiment was seconded by former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani. Currently with the Benton Foundation, she was a key player in the compromise in her former post atop the United Church of Christ's Office of Communication. “This process should be a model for the FCC, the media industry and advocates to come together to define what 'in the public interest' means for adults in the digital age as well," Tristani said following the vote.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6375143.html?display=Breaking+News

* FCC press release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A1.doc

REACTION TO FCC DECISION ON CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION

* FCC Chairman Martin:
"It is important that television play a positive role in children's lives. Both Congress and the Commission have recognized television's potential to do so and taken steps to ensure that television helps to educate and inform children. Broadcasters must be mindful of the unique needs and vulnerabilities of children."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A2.doc

* Commissioner Copps:
"[O]ur work on the digital transition remains unfinished. We are overdue for a similarly constructive dialogue on the more general public interest obligations of digital television broadcasters.... We have yet to provide the kind of clear guidance broadcasters need and viewers deserve. So it's time to address now how the digital transition can enhance political discourse, improve access to the media for those with disabilities, and increase localism, diversity and competition on the people's airwaves. It's also time to commit to a disclosure policy for digital television broadcasters. It has, after all, been eight years since a blue-ribbon Presidential advisory committee first made recommendations regarding broadcasters' digital public interest obligations. It has been nearly seven years since the Commission first opened a proceeding on this issue. And it has been nearly a year since the Commission's own Consumer Advisory Committee called for swifter action in this area. If the American people are ever going to realize the full benefits of digital television, then this agency has a duty to call these remaining digital public interest issues forward and accord them the high priority they deserve. Without such action, the digital transition will fall far short of its promise."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A3.doc

* Commissioner Adelstein:
"In today's Order, however, two clarifications unnecessarily retreat from laudable standards developed in the 2004 Order. First, the 2004 Order firmly maintained FCC's policy against host selling by restricting the display of websites that utilize program-related characters during the airing of the program and accompanying commercials. The language of the new host selling restriction and the third party advertising exceptions in the instant Order, however, are not models of regulatory clarity and certainty. It is unclear why web pages that are "primarily devoted to multiple characters from multiple programs" are categorically exempted from our host selling restrictions.... Another concern I have with today's order is that it retreats from a bright line rule that treats any promotion of upcoming programs, other than educational or informational programs, as commercial matter."

* Commissioner Tate:
"[W]hile I fully support this item and believe that it will lead to the creation of more and better quality children's programming, our children cannot benefit from this much needed additional programming if they cannot see it. I will continue to be vigilant in calling on cable and satellite operators, as well as new entrants to the video programming market like Verizon and AT&T, to carry more family-friendly programs. It's the right thing to do."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A5.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A4.doc

* Commissioner McDowell:
"I applaud this diverse coalition of children's advocacy groups, broadcast networks, children's programming networks, cable companies and advertisers for their efforts to forge a private sector solution to this challenge."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A6.doc

* Benton Salutes FCC on Kids’ TV Agreement
This process should be a model for the FCC, the media industry and advocates to come together to define what “in the public interest” means for adults in the digital age as well.... The transition to digital television offers a unique opportunity to improve television broadcasters’ service to the public by increasing the children’s educational programming that we see today. But we also have the opportunity to enhance the diversity of viewpoints at a time when minority media ownership levels are abysmal, promote civic participation through better election coverage, and expand local and community programming using the advances of multicasting. Now that we have moved to make sure digital television serves the educational needs of children, it is time to do the same for the rest of the community.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/3558

* Children Now:
"This is a great victory for children. We are so pleased by the FCC’s unanimous vote today; it demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to children and their needs in a rapidly-changing technological environment. By adopting rules along the lines proposed by advocates and media industry representatives, the FCC has taken a great step towards ensuring that children will be provided for and protected in the digital age. These rules will provide children with more educational programming and also will serve to protect them from the harmful effects of excessive advertising. We thank the FCC for prioritizing the needs of children as we transition to digital television."
http://www.childrennow.org/newsroom/press_releases/pr_092606.html

* United Church of Christ Applauds FCC Rule Changes Regarding Kids' Digital TV
Cheryl A. Leanza, managing director of the UCC's OC, Inc: "Children must have access to television that educates, not just programming that entertains, and children must be protected from excessive advertising. With new technology, serving and protecting children should get easier, not harder. This historic agreement insures the current legal protections for children will not disappear when children watch digital television in the future."
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=73233