The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the long awaited "Report on Broadcast Localism and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" last Thursday, more than four years after opening the investigation into broadcaster efforts to serve local communities. The report serves as a general summation of the more than 83,000 public comments the Commission received throughout the proceeding, including six field hearings in cities across the country.

In general, the Commission has found that although many broadcast licensees provide "programming responsive to the needs and interests of their community of license," other licensees "fall far short from what they should be." The Commission also concludes that there is a disconnect between local stations and local communities, and that stations have not engaged in the "necessary public dialogue as to community needs and interests."

In addition to providing a snapshot of the voluminous record, the report also reaches three primary, tentative conclusions that the Commission hopes to flesh out though the "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking," which is contained within the report. Those conclusions include:

• Licensees should have regular (quarterly) meetings with a board of community advisors made up of local officials and other leaders from within its service area.
• The FCC should adopt renewal application processing guidelines that will ensure that all broadcasters provide some locally-oriented programming.
• Qualified LPTV stations should be granted Class A status.

The Commission is seeking comments on each of these conclusions. Comments are due 30 days after the text is published in the Federal Register.

The Commission did not reach conclusions on proposed changes to the Main Studio Rule or on proposals to reinstitute rules that require stations to maintain a "physical presence at each radio broadcasting facility during all hours of operation." They continue to seek public comment on each of these rules, including whether any changes to the remote operations rule should be imposed on television stations as well as radio broadcasters. The Commission has expressed concern that remote operation of broadcast facilities could inhibit emergency broadcasts. The Commission is also considering whether changing the Main Studio Rule so that licensees are required to maintain the main studio within their community of license will increase local programming.

The Commission decided not to take action on national playlists or the practice of voice-tracking, but they are seeking further comment on the latter. Nor will the Commission ask Congress to shorten the licensee term to something less than eight years, as several commenters had suggested.