NAB Gets Upset When FCC Commissioner Calls Out Broadcasters

Ramblings

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.