Re: WCRB (programming)

[Dib9@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/29/00 11:03:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Jibguy writes:

<< OK, how about: In spirit, licensees have a responsibility to assist, help, 
have a positive influence on the populace.  No?  Then how about 
mildly-positive?
 Then do you, Dan, believe also that NO public affairs programming should 
ever be required?  (serious question).  I feel an LTAR debate at WJTO coming 
on.......
 ----jibguy >>

My serious answer to your first two questions is who judges what is a 
"positive influence" and how do you set standards that licensees can be held 
to?  What stations would you say provide nothing positive?  If people listen 
to a station, doesn't that mean that a portion of the public finds the 
station to be providing something positive?

As for public affairs programming: I do not think such a requirement is 
necessary, though the FCC clearly has the authority to make such requirements 
under the law.

My personal view is that the government should in no way regulate the content 
of programming broadcast by commercial radio and television stations.  Let 
the market decide what is appropriate programming.  The FCC should stick to 
setting technical standards and enforce them better than they do now and not 
worry about what dirty words Howard Stern uses on his show.

-- Dan Billings, Bowdoinham, Maine
   Proud Free Speech Extremist ("Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice.")