NAB Knocks 'Localism' Rules

By John Eggerton
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) says the FCC's localism proposals are based on faulty premises, are unnecessary and, if passed, could decrease, not increase, public service to communities. Some of the regulations, it argued, could even have devastating consequences for broadcasters.

In its filing with the FCC last week, the NAB said the commission has no basis for "turning back the clock" to regulations from an "analog era." The trade association was among several broadcast groups responding to the FCC proposals, which could require stations to form a community advisory group, and keep their stations staffed 24 hours a day, among other changes.

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.