Comments Submitted to the Federal Communications Commission on Broadcast Localism
Before the
FEDERAL
COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of:
Broadcast Localism
MB Docket No. 04-233
COMMENTS OF THE COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
Cord
A. Blomquist
Technology Policy
Analyst
Competitive
Enterprise Institute
1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Suite 1250
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 331-2282
Introduction
In 1987, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relaxed rules requiring broadcasters to operate their main studio in their communities of license. The FCC is now considering reverting to the rules of two decades ago, forcing companies to maintain a physical presence in each city in which they broadcast. This, despite massive technological evolution that has made it possible—and more efficient—for stations to locate studios in remote locations without sacrificing a focus on community content.
Every few years, all radio and television stations must renew their broadcast licenses with the FCC. Proposed rules would place broadcasters under intense scrutiny at the time of renewal, with the FCC able revoke stations’ licenses if they cannot demonstrate a commitment to localism. This procedure would apply to all stations, even those which focus on entirely different genres such as music or sports.
The FCC may also require stations to convene each quarter permanent advisory boards in each community, composed of local officials who would review content and would advise broadcasters as to which local issues deserve focus.
Finally, the FCC is pondering adding new disclosure requirements which would mandate that broadcasters file quarterly reports with detailed information explaining how programming has addressed community concerns. Like all disclosure rules, these forms are cumbersome and time-consuming, and would force editorial staff to think twice before airing a program that might skew reporting statistics to the detriment of the station.
Rather than pursuing additional levels of bureaucratic oversight or reverting to decades-old regulatory regimes, the FCC should pursue aggressive deregulation of the terrestrial radio marketplace. By allowing more broadcasters to compete—especially low-powered stations—the marketplace will cater to local news and civic programming as it has shown to be a profit maker for local broadcasters. The FCC should pursue this deregulation as part of a wider agenda to create a true marketplace for spectrum, one in which broadcasters of all types have true property rights in the airwaves.
Related Files:
CEI Broadcast Localism Comments to the FCC
