FCC's Copps, CPB Board discuss future of pubcasting spectrum

Will public broadcasters someday be made to give up their portion of the spectrum? That concern surfaced during a wide-ranging discussion on the future of broadband at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Corporation board meeting.

Federal Communications Commission member Michael Copps visited the board to talk about the national broadband plan. One idea being floated is compensation for pubcasters that voluntarily turn over some of their spectrum to support the nation's growing appetite for broadband. CPB Board member Beth Courtney expressed concern that financially struggling stations may feel compelled to do so for monetary reasons. Copps said such issues would need to be taken into consideration before any decisions are made. The priority with any recommendations, he added, "is first do no harm."