FCC Chair Wants More Local Programming

FCC CHAIR WANTS MORE LOCAL PROGRAMMING
[SOURCE: MediaDailyNews, AUTHOR: Wayne Friedman]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants to establish a rule requiring local stations to offer more local programming. In speaking with the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, Martin also said he wants to set up permanent local boards to advise stations on what to air. These rules are expected to be under discussion at the FCC's open meeting on Dec.18. Local programming should not be limited to what TV stations offer in terms of news programming--which is already extensive. It should be other programming, said Martin. However, he didn't offer specifics. Chairman Martin says the Internet makes it easy for public and government officials to discuss the kind of programming they believe is necessary for local stations to air. He says stations should offer "a significant amount of locally oriented programming."
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=72...

* FCC May Issue Tougher Standards
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6513152.html

* Media Institute ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Martin Proposals
The Media Institute, a First Amendment think-tank backed by major media companies, is "deeply concerned" about the proposals that it said are "antithetical" to First Amendment protections. “Establishing amounts or percentages of particular types of programming that broadcasters need to carry to ensure the renewal of their licenses would coerce stations into selecting and airing content in these government-preferred categories," said the Media Institute. "It is disheartening to think that in this age of unprecedented media abundance, the commission is contemplating an unnecessary regulatory regimen that not only hearkens back to the last century, but will most likely be found unconstitutional by the courts," the group added.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6513114.html?rssid=193

* Martin Turns His Sights on Broadcasting
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Harry Jessell]
[Commentary]
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/14/daily.7/