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The Coalition for Local Television and the Community Broadcasters Association Express Strong Disappointment Today with the Cancellation of the October 15th, 2008 FCC Monthly Meeting in Nashville
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Local Television and
the Community Broadcasters Association today expressed their strong
disappointment in the last minute decision by the FCC to cancel their agenda
meeting inNashville, TN which was to include a panel discussion on a Notice
of Proposed Rule Making. The NPRM from the FCC would invite public comment on
a proposal that would allow Class A TV stations an opportunity to apply to
convert to full power TV status, which would give these stations full
permanent spectrum rights and access to cable distribution. The proposal
would also provide a new opportunity for qualified Low Power TV stations to
apply for Class A status.
This meeting was crucial in terms of timing because most Class A and Low
Power stations are not making the jump to digital in 2009, most are not on
cable, and many are in danger of losing the ability to reach the audiences
they serve.
"We are extremely disappointed by the cancellation of the meeting tomorrow
inNashville. In addition to the petition we circulated on Friday in support
of the proposal from over 150 stations with diverse programming from across
the country, many of those same owners and station employees were driving or
flying from around the country on their own time and expense to be heard,"
said Mayela C. Rosales - EVP, Azteca America SWFL, D'Latinos and a member of
the Coalition for Local Television. "As I have said before, we represent the
voice to communities and populations that are simply not represented or served
by mainstream cable networks. How can we understand this cancellation to be
anything but a confirmation that women's and minority voices do not matter?"
"This is an issue of fundamental fairness," said Randy Nonberg, President
of Una Vez Mas and a member of the CLTV. "It is one thing to determine
through a public forum whether there are merits to an argument. It is quite
another to thwart that substantive discussion and debate. It is antithetical
to the democratic process the FCC should undertake."
"It is also our understanding that the FCC may release a Notice of Inquiry
with regard to this issue. If this is the case, it is another attempt to
delay the process. If the FCC moves forward with an NOI, we are entitled to a
process with transparency, accountability and, most importantly, a quick
deadline," said Ron Gordon, President of ZGS Communications and a member of
the CLTV.
CBA President Ronald J. Bruno concluded, "After all the emphasis the
Commission has put on promoting diversity and localism, it is disgraceful to
cancel a meeting at the last minute, to cut off the opportunity to hear
dedicated broadcasters explain how they will advance those goals, and to leave
them in limbo for an indefinite period of time."
About the Coalition for Local Television: The Coalition for Local
Television is a group comprised of Class A and LPTV stations from across the
country. Visit the coalition online at http://coalitionforlocaltv.ning.com .
Over 150 community stations who signed on to the petition broadcast a wide
range of important programming including religious, community, government
access, Spanish language, African American, Korean, South Asian, local news,
sports, Children's and educational programming and critical weather and
emergency advisories.
The petition is available online at
http://www.coalitionforlocaltv.ning.com in the Media Center.
About the CBA: The Community Broadcasters Association is the trade
association representing the Nation's Class A and Low Power televisions
industries. http://dtvnow.org/.
Contact:
Tara Ballesteros
ZGS Communications
Phone: 703-528-5656 ext. 129
Email: tballesteros@zgsgroup.com
Source Community Broadcasters Association; ZGS Communications; Una Vez Mas;
Azteca America Southwest Florida; Coalition for Local Television
SOURCE CBA; ZGS Communications; Una Vez Mas; Azteca America SWFL; CLTV
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Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze,
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Tags: ,ENT,TVN,POL,HSP,Coalition-local-TV
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