Senate Passes DTV Nightlight Bill

On Thursday, the Senate passed by unanimous consent the Short-Term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness (SAFER) Act, a bill which would allow broadcasters to continue an analog signal for 30 days past the Feb. 17, 2009 cut-off date. The House can not take up the bill until it reconvenes December 8. At a speech at the Media Institute Thursday, Meredith Attwell Baker, head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, said she supported the bill, calling it "a helpful step" and encouraging passage. Sen Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), the bill's sponsor, said, "I firmly believe that our nation is not ready to make this transition without substantially more involvement from every level of government, the entire communications industry, and willing community organizations across America. At present, most experts agree that the transition will unleash a massive amount of consumer confusion."