NAB Gets Upset When FCC Commissioner Calls Out Broadcasters

from the take-a-letter dept

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps had an interesting op-ed in the New York Times several days ago, spelling out what he sees as the failure of broadcasters to live up to the public-interest requirements of their licenses. It's hard to find much fault in what he says, both because he highlights the shoddy job many broadcasters do, but also the failings of the FCC in ensuring they live up to their end of the bargain. Unsurprisingly, the piece evoked a response from the head of the National Association of Broadcasters, who (with a straight face, we presume), touted broadcasters' "public service commitment". That's a pretty laughable claim, and as Orbitcast points out, it's undermined by the NAB's backing of a bill that would ban satellite radio companies from airing local content, including Amber Alerts and other emergency information. If the NAB really had the public interest at heart, why would it try and limit the ways in which this sort of information could be distributed, and to create its own monopoly on local content? Hypocrisy from the NAB -- shocking, we know.
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  1. identicon
    Known Coward, 14 Jun 2007 @ 6:42pm

    NAB Self Interest

    This from the same organization that tried to kill Low Power FM. Poke any saint deeply enough and you touch self interest.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Overcast, 14 Jun 2007 @ 10:05pm

    Ban this, Ban that.... They are really intent upon taking all the freedoms away that they can, aren't they?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Charles Griswold, 15 Jun 2007 @ 1:40am

    Re:

    Ban this, Ban that.... They are really intent upon taking all the freedoms away that they can, aren't they?
    Just the ones that prevent them from lining their pockets with your money. ;-)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Erik, 16 Jun 2007 @ 9:44am

    NAB

    I'm amused by the lack of comment on this.

    Post something about the RIAA and there are dozens of ranting comments.

    The NAB is 100 times more abusive and 1000 times more powerful than the RIAA and no one seems to give a shit.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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