Leaving Localism Behind

LEAVING LOCALISM BEHIND
[SOURCE: stopbigmedia.com, AUTHOR: Josh Stearns]
[Commentary] In the January 7th issue of Broadcasting and Cable, Gene McHugh, general manager of Fox TV station WAGA in Atlanta, is quoted as saying, “We’ve determined that localism is the future for TV stations” -- a rare admission that stations could be doing more to serve the local public. Not only could they do more, but people are hungry for it. Just two weeks after this article appeared, the Federal Communications Commission released a report on a long- overdue localism debate. The FCC is looking for input from communities about whether broadcasters should be required to 1) post notification of their impending license renewal on their Websites, 2) have community advisory boards, 4) improve community input, and 5) have someone in the station at all times. The Commission is also seeking comment the License Renewal Guideline Process, proposing a rule that could expedite the renewal of licensees that met clear guidelines for public service and for local programming, and could require full Commission action on those who did not. This carrot-and-stick approach is the only item in the report that might have an immediate and meaningful impact on localism.
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/2008/01/31/leaving-localism-behind/