NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

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

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