NAB filed comments late last week in response to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) public notice on "The Future of Media" that highlight radio and television broadcasters long-standing and continuing commitment to local service. The extensive comments, available here, include a new report titled "The Economic Realities of Local Television News - 2010." The report features a survey of television stations that say they produce, on average, 26.6 hours of local news per week, a finding that belies the common misconception that broadcasters are reducing the amount of local news. In its comments, NAB notes that it is both an exciting and challenging time for broadcasters, as digital expansion gives rise to new opportunities so to does it give rise to more competition. As broadcasting evolves, NAB suggests there are ways in which the Commission can help ensure broadcasting remains a healthy and vital communications medium, including: an update of the media ownership rules, avoidance of new, burdensome and asymmetrical regulations and assurance that the current retransmission consent process will remain unchanged.

The FCC launched its Future of Media proceeding late last year and has already held two staff workshops on the subject. The unusual proceeding – it is not an official rulemaking – was designed as an investigation into the state of journalism, and to explore whether the FCC can or should adjust any of its existing rules to help "save" a declining industry. The proceeding is expected to draw comments from all media segments and will likely result in an official report before the end of the year. At the same time, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is working through a similar but distinct proceeding about journalism that is also expected to result in a report sometime in the next six months.