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Radio
Appeals Court Delays Hearing Tribune’s Waiver Challenge
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 9, 2008 - 7:07amThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decided to put off hearing Tribune's challenge of the Federal Communications Commission's decision to grant it waivers to complete the deal to sell the company to investor Sam Zell and Tribune employees.
Tax gains lift Tribune Co. to first-quarter profit
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 9, 2008 - 6:57amTribune Co. reported a big first-quarter profit, thanks to a mammoth tax gain the Chicago media concern recorded in connection with the leveraged buyout by which it went private at the end of 2007.
SJ Res 28 Cost Estimate
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 8, 2008 - 8:45amOn April 24, the Senate Commerce Committee approved SJ Res 28, a joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership. The Congressional Budget Office has now reviewed the resolution, also making its way through the House, and determined that enactment of the resolution would have no effect on the federal budget.
The FCC's Regulation-Wary Regulator
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 7, 2008 - 7:48amAnother Q&A with Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Robert McDowell. He's resisting FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's push to adopt new rules to promote localism in broadcasting. He dissented on the FCC’s enhanced disclosure rules requiring stations to file quarterly reports on their local programming efforts.
NAB Defends Ownership Change...As Far As It Goes
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 7, 2008 - 7:45amThe National Association of Broadcasters weighed in Tuesday in support of the FCC's decision to loosen the newspaper/broadcast crossownership rules. Actually, broadcasters, including NAB, don't love the change. In fact they have taken the FCC to court over it because they believe it is not deregulatory enough.
Making Localism Illogical
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 5, 2008 - 7:26amTwo attorneys for broadcaster Broadcast Co. of America (BCA) argue again the Federal Communications Commission's proposed rules to promote localism. The most eye-catching proposal made by the FCC in the Localism Notice for Proposed Rulemaking is the proposal to require each broadcaster to construct and operate a main studio in each of its communities of license.
Localism Divides Religious Groups
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 5, 2008 - 7:25amThe Federal Communications Commission's proposals for increasing public interest reporting requirements and other steps to promote broadcast localism have drawn a flood of comments from understandably worried broadcasters. But they have also revealed a potential new battleground in this issue: a schism between religious groups.
Scrap looms over radio waves
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 5, 2008 - 7:20amEurope’s leading mobile phone operators on Monday set themselves on a collision course with television broadcasters by making a pitch to secure a big chunk of the “digital dividend” radio spectrum.
Ensign Raises Red Flag On Localism Proposal
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 2, 2008 - 7:06amSen John Ensign (R-NV) sent Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin a letter saying "government mandates" are not the way to achieve the "laudable" goal of increasing local programming and making sure broadcasters are responsive to their communities.
Public Interest Groups Weigh In On Localism
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 29, 2008 - 7:38pmThe Public Interest Public Airwaves Coalition, Center for Creative Voices in Media, Free Press, and National Hispanic Media Coalition filed comments Monday on the Federal Communications Commission's proposed rules to promote localism in broadcasting.
