As the FCC considers the future of media, it may...
As the FCC considers the future of media, it may need to “modify” the public-interest standard, how the commission enforces it or “how stations fulfill it,” said FCC Media Bureau Associate Chief William Freedman in a panel at the Free…
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Press Summit on Tuesday. “As long as stations are being allowed to use the people’s airwaves, I continue to believe that there should be some quid pro quo, and that’s public service.” It’s easy to “get lulled into a false sense of security” because there are so many stations, TV channels and websites, he said. But just having a large number of sources doesn’t guarantee diverse, “antagonistic” and “vital” news and information, he said. Freedman encouraged interested parties to file comments. Currently “everything is on the table” in the FCC’s proceeding and there are “no preconceived notions about the outcome,” he said. One of the biggest problems keeping public broadcasters from taking chances and reaching new audiences is a fear of upsetting major donors, said Maxie Jackson, president of the national Federation of Community Broadcasters. He cited a “strong need” for regulation to promote diversity.