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HR 4882 Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act
Submitted by Benton Foundation on Thu, 12/20/2007 - 20:46
Last updated: Mon, 05/05/2008 - 13:51
Last updated: Mon, 05/05/2008 - 13:51
Summary
On December 19, 2007, Rep Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act, a bill that would strengthen public interest obligations on broadcasters.
The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, requires broadcasters to serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity." However the Act does not specify how the "public interest" is best served.
The Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act requires:
- broadcasters to demonstrate a dedication to specified public interest obligations,
- broadcast licensees seeking a renewal to demonstrate that they have made a dedication to civic affairs of its community and to local news gathering,
- broadcasters air locally produced programming and make a commitment to provide a public presentation of the views of candidates and issues related to local, statewide or national elections, and
- broadcasters provide quality educational programming for children and reduces a broadcast license term from eight years to three.
The three-year term will bring greater oversight and scrutiny to license renewals.
Updates
* Dec 19, 2007: Introduced in House; referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
Supporters
Sponsor: Rep Anna G. Eshoo (D-California 14th)
Co-sponsors:
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 12/19/2007
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 1/16/2008
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 1/16/2008
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 2/6/2008
Detractors
Date
December 18, 2007