I should have added this one with the previous two, but I had assumed no new
info, so I didn't initially. But there is new info.
I had previously suggested that this is yet another example of new-found FCC
double-talk, after the bit about "localism and diversity," i.e.
politically-correct formula-speak, about the wonderfulness of broadcasting. It
seems here too, the actual policies have a way of contradicting the
politically-correct formula-speak. So here it is:
---------------------------------------
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-eliminate-main-studio-rule
Media Contact:
Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165
janice.wise@xxxxxxx
For Immediate Release
FCC PROPOSES TO ELIMINATE MAIN STUDIO RULE
Action Would Reduce Regulatory Burdens and Costs for Broadcasters
--
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2017 - The Federal Communications Commission today released
a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, proposing to eliminate the main studio rule,
which requires each AM, FM, and television broadcast station to have a main
studio located in or near its local community. The Notice also proposes to
eliminate the requirement that the main studio have full-time management and
staff present during normal business hours, and the requirement that it be able
to originate programming.
The main studio rule, which the FCC first adopted more than 70 years ago, was
originally implemented on the premise that local access to the main studio
facilitated input from community members and the station's participation in
community activities.
Today, modern communications enable stations and community members to interact
more directly, without the presence of a local broadcast studio. In addition,
community members already, or soon will, have online access to a station's
public file, removing the need for community members to visit the main studio
to access the file. Television broadcasters completed their transition to the
online public file in 2014, and radio broadcasters will complete their
transition by early 2018.
Action by the Commission May 18, 2017 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC
17-59). Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn and O'Rielly approving and issuing
separate statements.
MB Docket No. 17-106
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
ASL Videophone: 1-844-432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
---------------------------------------------
I previously said that this policy change was a way of **eliminating**, rather
than enhancing, localism. It would facilitate creating regional radio nets. And
sure enough:
"The Notice also proposes to eliminate the requirement that the main studio
have full-time management and staff present during normal business hours, -->
and the requirement that it be able to originate programming. <--"
In this case, IMO, the only problem is one of being up font, rather than
attempting to BS the public. Local stations may well not make much sense
anymore, especially when we see that so much radio programming is recorded and
NOT locally produced anyway.
So, here, and in the rural rate floor, and in the "restore Internet freedoms,"
the FCC should say straight up what they intend. In every single case, the
obvious intention is not even close to what they claim. The only motivation is
the interests of the few special interests involved. In summary:
1. Eliminate main studio rule for radio: Eliminate any pretense of "localism."
2. Eliminate rate floor for rural telecom subscribers: Let "market forces"
decide whether rural telecom can survive or not. If not, too bad, so sad.
(Either that, or raise the USF. Does the extreme right prefer that?)
3. Restore Internet freedom: By eliminating Title II classification, without
proposing any other neutrality guarantee, restore the freedom to a handful of
special interests to wall up Internet service, to maximize their own
self-interests. Emulating the gatekeeper, non-neutral role of MVPDs of the past
40 years. The special interests would be allowed to pick and choose winners and
losers, making choices for their subscribers.
This FCC is off to a great start.
Bert
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