[opendtv] FCC Chariman Martin at the FCC DTV workshop
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:42:06 -0400
All I can say is, while it's true HD Radio is not a mandated transition
of any sort, I don't think the FCC would have to take it upon itself to
educate the public about HD Radio if it did involve analog radio
shutoff.
"... we seek comment on whether to require the industry to use bill
inserts, public service announcements, and other techniques to educate
consumers about the transition. I hope that the Commission is able to
complete this proceeding quickly."
Ideally, the industry would be the one to tell the FCC what they intent
to do, and the purpose of that would only be to make them feel warm all
over that the process was going smoothly. John Shutt's comment yesterday
suggests to me that maybe at least PBS *is* thinking along these lines.
Bert
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Remarks of Chairman Kevin J. Martin
Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop
FCC Headquarters
Washington, DC
September 26, 2007
I would like to thank all of you for coming here today to our digital
television consumer education workshop. I want to emphasize that our
workshop today is about the consumer.
The Commission's highest priority is protecting the American consumer.
We intend to take whatever actions are necessary to minimize the
potential burden the digital transition could impose on consumers and
maximize their ability to benefit from it. The Commission has already
taken some important steps but there is still more we need to do. This
is where all of you come in.
Today, we are fortunate to be hearing from a wide range of consumer
groups. We will listen closely to what they have to say. And, we will
be hearing from industry and government representatives who will update
us on their efforts to inform consumers about the transition.
I would like to take a minute to commend the industries for the recent
consumer education campaigns that they have initiated. I believe that
it is not too soon to start informing the public about the upcoming
transition. This is why our workshop today is so important.
Importantly, although this is our first workshop, it will not be our
last. Rather, this is the first in a series of workshops that we will
host. Each of our upcoming workshops will be focused on a specific
consumer segment. A number of communities have been identified as being
likely to be disproportionately impacted by the transition and least
aware of it. These communities include the elderly, the disabled,
low-income earners, those living in rural areas, minorities and
non-English speakers. Through a series of workshops in the upcoming
months, we will specifically focus on how we can best reach and educate
these groups of consumers.
Facilitating a smooth transition is not going to be easy. As all major
changes tend to be, the coming transition to digital television
transmission is an exciting-but complicated-revolution. There are
obvious benefits to digital technology - such as the movie quality
picture and sound.
And - something I find particularly exciting - the switch from analog to
digital will also enable local broadcasters to provide multiple streams
of programming. These multiple streams are capable of providing
consumers more local programming and vital information about their
communities. For example, the Association of Public Television Stations
is here today and is showing examples of digital programming that is
available to consumers as a result of multicasting.
While the benefits offered by digital technology are undeniable, so are
the challenges. We are here today to talk about the questions that need
to be answered and the challenges that need to be met. A successful
completion of the digital transition depends upon government and
industry working together to promote consumer awareness and minimize the
burdens borne by consumers. There are many important policies that must
be put into place. The Commission is committed to ensuring that no
American is left in the dark.
To this end, we are working, and will continue to work, with all of you
- government agencies, industry, and consumer groups - to mount an
aggressive education campaign. I assure you that I, and my fellow
colleagues - all of whom you will hear from today - are taking our
consumer education responsibilities very seriously and are dedicated to
doing everything in our ability to ensure a smooth digital transition.
Just next week, the record will close in our DTV Education NPRM where we
seek comment on whether to require the industry to use bill inserts,
public service announcements, and other techniques to educate consumers
about the transition. I hope that the Commission is able to complete
this proceeding quickly.
I know that all of us in this room are united in a single goal -
protecting consumers by ensuring they are aware of and prepared for the
digital transition. I look forward to hearing your concerns, ideas and
thoughts about how we can best work together to make sure all Americans
benefit from the digital revolution. I hope that this workshop is a
productive one that allows us to strengthen existing partnerships and
create new ones.
Finally, I urge all of you to take some time to view the demonstrations
and exhibits that we have assembled here today. The technical
demonstrations will allow you to see first hand the exciting features of
digital technology and also learn how to use a converter box. And,
other exhibitors have brought many useful materials about the
transition.
Thanks to all of you for participating in our conference today. I am
pleased that we were able to bring so many of you together from the
industry, consumer advocacy groups, and government agencies. And, thank
you to all of the dedicated public servants in the Consumer and
Government Affairs Bureau who have worked so hard to organize today's
workshop.
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