In a response to growing complaints about poor cable service and high rates, Congress passed the 1992 Cable Act, which intended to curb cable rates that were excessively increasing and far outpacing inflation. The Act also included the right for local television broadcasters to negotiate with cable in a free market for use of their signals (known as retransmission consent).
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Wireless companies and others claim that current amounts of spectrum allocated for high speed wireless
Internet service are not sufficient to meet the expected increase in consumer demand over the
next few years, and have urged the federal government to reallocate spectrum for future wireless
broadband use. When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff released its National Broadband Plan, it reflected these arguments, calling for the reallocation of spectrum, including airwaves currently used by local television broadcasters.
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Local broadcast stations have maintained public inspection files for decades. The files contain information such as maps of the station's coverage area, reports on children's programming, letters from the public, lists of important issues that station programming has addressed and extensive records of political advertisements. Any member of the public can visit the station (or other designated location in the community) and examine the file.
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Advertising revenue is critical to local TV and radio stations that rely on those dollars to serve local communities with vital news and information and high quality entertainment. As Congress considers initiatives that impact advertising, including restrictions on food marketing and a moratorium on television commercials for new medicines, it should avoid legislation that threatens free speech and increases federal agencies' authority to excessively restrict advertising on which local stations rely.
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Local radio and television stations believe localism is best sustained by permitting broadcasters to compete effectively in the digital multichannel marketplace. Allowing stations to compete in the marketplace by reforming unnecessary restrictions would help them maintain economic vibrancy and the ability to serve their local communities in an ever-changing and competitive media landscape. Out-of-date restrictions on ownership of broadcast outlets that do not reflect current competitive realities in the digital age should be modernized.
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The Political Broadcast Catechism answers many of your questions and will help you find solutions to the most common political broadcasting questions during the election season. Free for NAB members.