December 18, 1998
The Vice President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Vice President
It is with pleasure that we submit to you the Final Report of the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters. The Advisory Committee's Report represents 15 months of intensive work and embodies the collective efforts of numerous individuals in the television industry, public interest community, and the general public.
Digital broadcast television is now a reality. In many areas of the country, the first digital broadcast signals were transmitted just before the Advisory Committee completed its deliberations, and the promise of a new and exciting digital future is here. It is a timely moment, therefore, for you, as well as Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, the telecommunications industry, and the public to consider how the public interest will be best served as we experience the implementation of digital television.
The enclosed Report has several sections. It includes a history of our Advisory Committee, a history of public interest obligations and broadcasting, an account of the genesis of digital television, the Advisory Committee's recommendations and supporting material, and individual views of many of our members. The recommendations reflect a broad consensus of our Advisory Committee, cutting across all lines and including the overwhelming majority of our members.
We are also pleased to report that the Benton Foundation has offered to serve as a home of the Advisory Committee legacy, acting as our institutional memory and tracking the debate on and progress of the Advisory Committee's report and recommendations.
On behalf of the entire Advisory Committee, we want to thank you and the President for the opportunity to serve the public through this Advisory Committee, and for the honor of transmitting to you the Final Report of the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters, pursuant to Section 2 of Executive Order No. 13038 of March 11, 1997.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Moonves
Norman Ornstein