A License for Local Reporting

A LICENSE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
[SOURCE: New York Times 12/22/07, AUTHOR: The Deans of 8 US schools of journalism]
[Commentary] As deans of journalism schools, we are devoting our working lives to the proposition that honest, aggressive, well-trained reporters and editors will be a powerful force for good in society. In broadcasting — still a heavily regulated industry and one in which some of the best news for journalism in recent decades has come through public-policy interventions like the creation of public radio and public television — we do not believe that the market can be absolutely trusted to provide the local news gathering that the American system needs to function at its best. The FCC ought to treat a broadcast licensee’s commitment of resources to original local reporting on public affairs as a key factor in its decisions about regulatory issues. Companies should be required to make a persuasive case that they will increase their commitment to local reporting if they get what they want — whether they aspire to own broadcast properties and newspapers in the same market; or, thanks to the onset of digital television, to turn every channel they control into several channels; or to expand their national market share in broadcasting or cable television. For decades, holders of broadcast licenses had to make frequent, detailed arguments for their fitness to have their licenses renewed. They had to demonstrate a commitment to original reporting and to airtime for local public affairs. The FCC has always been lenient about renewing broadcast licenses, but it meant something that licensees had to go through a demanding renewal process. Now license renewal is so effortless it is known as “postcard renewal.” Even the pretense that there is a connection between the grant of a broadcast license and a promise to report on one’s community is all but gone. This week’s moves by the FCC are only the beginning of a contentious period in which Congress, the courts and other interested parties will vigorously discuss a range of issues involving the regulation of newspapers, cable television and broadcast television that will affect the future of journalism. Journalists, as advocates for local reporting, must become forceful participants in the debate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/22/opinion/22lemann.html?ref=todayspaper
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* Journalism Deans Need to Go Back to School
TVNewsday's Harry Jessell criticizes the deans above for supporting the FCC proposal to require TV stations to set aside time and resources to cover local public affairs. "They are all highly accomplished with impeccable credentials, but they are all career academics and newspapermen. Not a one ever had to make a living as a commercial broadcaster. They don’t know what it’s like to be a second-class journalistic citizen. On this occasion, they have embarrassed themselves and their institutions. Their faculty and students ought to speak out in opposition, if only to put some distance between themselves and the deans."
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/28/daily.8/?promo