Reps Back Broadcast Flag

Twenty representatives, including many members of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, have written Subcommittee Chairmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ed Markey (D-MA) backing reinstatement of the broadcast flag. They argue that the flag is necessary to spur the transition to digital and to preserve free TV by making it competitive with other media. "The timely preservation of free, over-the-air television is essential to a smooth and timely transition to digital television, and the implementation of the broadcast flag plays a vital role in this undertaking," the lawmakers wrote. Public Knowledge responded Friday: “We agree with the letter in its view of the importance of local broadcasting as a provider of local news, events and information to consumers. However, we see no link between the continued provision of that valuable service and the broadcast flag. There is no evidence even to suggest that any programming would be withheld without a broadcast flag regime."
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