Remarks of FCC Commissioner O'Rielly Before the Second Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Entertainment

[Speech] The main reason I am here and why I was pleased to accept the committee’s invitation to say a few words is to reinforce the importance of the Commission’s proceeding to create a small entity broadcaster incubator program.  Let me be abundantly clear: the lead proponent of this idea is the Chairman and I’ve been happy to support his work on the topic. We should all remember that the intent of an incubator program is to address the lackluster ownership of broadcaster station licenses by smaller entities, which includes women and minority groups. 

I would like to highlight a few of my concerns with your draft proposal. First, let’s search for new ideas. As I stated earlier: our old policies have not worked. That includes the reestablishment of a tax certificate program. Such a program will be a heavy lift to get passed into law, especially in the near future. Second, I have concerns with the proposed three categories eligible for the incubator program. At this time, they seem too arbitrary and ripe for abuse. Third, I believe the Committee’s time would be best served focusing on ideas based on regulatory relief for existing stations willing to participate and capital and training assistance for those interested in obtaining stations.