Broadcasters vs. Localism

In comments filed at the Federal Communications Commission Monday most broadcasters argued that new localism proposals are unnecessary and burdensome. For example, in a joint filing, Post-Newsweek Stations, Raycom Media, Barrington Broadcasting, Bonten Media Group, Dispatch Broadcast Group and Paxton Media Group said the proposals, while well-intentioned, were "blunt and burdensome instruments" that would lead to the localism goals that both the FCC and the broadcasters shared. They argued that there is little to suggest that any action is needed, but if there is, it needs to be more flexible and less intrusive. Also filing jointly, a group of 20 small stations said the changes would create more hardships for smaller stations than for the larger, consolidated groups and would actually harm service to local communities rather than enhancing it. For example, they said, requiring stations to be staffed during all hours of operation would lead to cutbacks in overnight service to avoid the additional cost. Advisory boards, they argued, would reduce their control over programming, saying, "Small broadcasters’ involvement with their local communities is more than sufficient to make them aware of community needs and issues without government oversight."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6555597.html?rssid=193

* NAB Localism Rules Will Have Opposite Effect
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
The National Association of Broadcasters filed comments in the Federal Communications Commission's localism proceeding saying, "[I]nstead of achieving the Commission's stated goal of promoting closer contact between broadcasters and their communities, the proposed rule changes will, in many cases, produce the opposite effect, resulting in a broadcasting industry less able to serve the public interest. Especially in light of broadcasters' and other outlets' increasing service to local markets made possible by technological developments, NAB urges the FCC not to return to a regulatory regime from the analog era that would harm rather than help promote our common goal of providing service to our local communities."
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/04/28/daily.13/

* ABC Affils on Localism Rules: No Need
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
In its comments on the FCC’s proposed new localism rules, the ABC Television Affiliates Association says they’re just not necessary. ABC affiliates said they don't want the government forcing networks to provide screeners of their shows to stations before they air. The affiliates point out that their contracts contain the right to reject unsuitable programming. Advance notice is obviously key to that right, and the stations said ABC has given it to them, with the exception of reality programming, which the network said sometimes isn't finished until only a few hours before airtime. The logistics of previewing those shows "underscores the practical concerns that may be implicated by a mandatory rule," the ABC affiliates told the Commission.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/04/28/daily.11/

* ABC Stations Oppose Pre-Screening Mandate (Broadcasting&Cable)
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6555575.html?rssid=193

* Senators Concerned Over Localism Mandates
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
Twenty-three senators have expressed their 'substantial concern' over recent proposals by the Federal Communications Commission that "look to bygone regulations for instruction on today's evolving and highly competitive media industry." In a letter dated April 24 to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) and 22 Senate colleagues urged the Commission to "heed the concerns of responsible licensees that would be unjustifiably penalized" by such regulations. Additionally, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) authored her own letter to Chairman Martin asking the Commission to "craft policies that rightly encourage community engagement without inhibiting disaster communications or further burdening already-strained Louisiana business owners."
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/04/28/daily.8/

* Read the Roberts letter
http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/pressrel/releases/042408_23Sens_Localis...