Eshoo Introduces Legislation Strengthening Public Interest Obligations on Broadcasters

ESHOO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING PUBLIC INTEREST OBLIGATIONS ON BROADCASTERS
[SOURCE: Rep Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA)]
Rep Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act. The bill would strengthen public interest obligations on broadcasters. Television stations devote less than one half of one percent of total programming time to local public affairs. Four out of ten commercial TV stations surveyed in 2003 aired no local public affairs programs. 92% of the election coverage aired by the national networks in the two weeks before Election Day 2004 was devoted to the presidential contest leaving only 8% for local elections and referendums. The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, requires broadcasters to serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity." However the Act does not specify how the "public interest" is best served. The Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act requires broadcasters to demonstrate a dedication to specified public interest obligations. The bill requires broadcast licensees seeking a renewal to demonstrate that they have made a dedication to civic affairs of its community and to local news gathering. The bill also mandates that broadcasters air locally produced programming and make a commitment to provide a public presentation of the views of candidates and issues related to local, statewide or national elections. Finally, the bill mandates that broadcasters provide quality educational programming for children and reduces a broadcast license term from eight years to three. The three-year term will bring greater oversight and scrutiny to license renewals.
http://eshoo.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=394&Itemid=206

* Eshoo introduces bill on broadcaster obligations
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=6677

** Track the bill's progress at http://www.benton.org/node/8541