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Iowa Broadcasters to Martin: This Is Localism
Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 23, 2008 - 6:35pm
Source: Broadcasting&Cable
Author: John Eggerton
IOWA BROADCASTERS TO MARTIN: THIS IS LOCALISM
Iowa Broadcasters Association Executive Director Sue Toma has written Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin to let him know that some broadcasters there have been going 24/7 with commercial-free coverage of the devastating flooding while they help to marshal volunteer efforts and battle flood waters themselves. "I can't help but note that the Iowa floods come at a time when well-meaning but misguided activists are questioning broadcasters' commitment to localism," she wrote. The answers to those questions, she suggested, could be found in Iowa, where "many" broadcasters have "once again proven their commitment to the communities that we serve," capping it off with the assertion: "This is our finest hour."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6572551.html?rssid=193
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I live in Charles City,
I live in Charles City, Iowa. Ms. Toma misrepresents the experience I witnessed during the flooding, here in north-central Iowa. She denigrates all those who believe local newspapers, tv and radio coverage is important, by referring to them as "activists". I, personally, am outraged that she would attempt to use the disaster that occurred throughout Iowa to further an attempt to consolidate media in both Iowa and our country. In north-central Iowa, especially among those of us who are on a fixed income, coverage was spotty or not available. Analog antennas are quite common. During the flooding, power outages restricted radio coverage, weather interrupted tv reception, and the newspapers for local coverage are, for the most part, owned and operated from distant locations. We can add the digital conversion issue to the mix, and it's even worse, now. When I plug in my digital tv converter box, the box only permits the nearest tv for ABC, NBC, and CBS, along with PBS channels. I cannot reach more distant channels that cover my area. As a result, if the nearest channels are interrupted, I have no coverage. In the past, I could switch to a channel that is not as close, but would still provide information. I believe this was deliberate, as a step in narrowing what I can see, or hear. I challenge anyone to offer a reasonable explanation as to why our national "make sure everyone can watch digital tv" policy dictates that viewers will not be able to receive more than 1 channel for each major network, when multiple channels might be available. Particularly, when people rely on media options to help them get through tornado threats or flooding disasters.
No disrespect to the people
No disrespect to the people of Iowa and other Mid West states dealing with floods. But is the point lost on the Iowa Broadcasters Association that if "some" broadcasters can provide 24/7 commercial-free coverage of the devastating flooding maybe "all" the broadcasters in the effected areas should be? And, if they are not, how exactly are they serving the "public interest, convenience and neccessity"?