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Public Interest Obligations
Localism’s National Consequences
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 12, 2008 - 7:30amA TV industry trying its best to keep up with nimble new-media competitors may have an expensive new albatross to deal with: the Federal Communications Commission’s series of proposals to promote localism.
FCC Probing Complaint About Embedded Analysts
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 9, 2008 - 7:05amFederal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said Thursday that the commission was looking into complaints about the Department of Defense's program to provide administration talking points to former military officers used by TV networks as analysts on the Iraq war.
FCC Endorses Junk News, Calls Fox's TMZ and 700 Club 'Bona fide Newscasts'
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 7, 2008 - 7:49amHard-hitting journalism is nearing extinction on television, and the Federal Communications Commission just threw another shovelful of dirt on its grave when it recently ruled that Rupert Murdoch's broadcast of TMZ and Pat Robertson's 700 Club meet the test for "a bona fide newscast." Bona fide newscast? Here's why the FCC decision matters.
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.
Headline Highlights April 2008
Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 7, 2008 - 7:43amApril showers, of course, bring May flowers. But the first full month of Spring also witnessed the flowering of a number of key telecommunications debates. Just add water and -- presto -- there's some controversy.
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.
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.
Broadcasters vs. Localism
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 29, 2008 - 7:54amIn comments filed at the Federal Communications Commission Monday most broadcasters argued that new localism proposals are unnecessary and burdensome.
