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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2000 |
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: David Fiske at (202) 418-0513 |
FCC CHAIRMAN URGES BROADCASTERS TO SHIFT FOCUS FROM FIGHTING AGAINST LOW POWER RADIO TO FIGHTING FOR DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES
William E. Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), today urged the nation's broadcasters to shift their resources from fighting the introduction of Low Power FM Radio to exploring the enormous opportunities prompted by the digital revolution.
He made these remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas and in phone conversations with Members of Congress and other advocates on both sides of the Low Power FM issue.
"Why," he asked, "amidst all this opportunity for broadcasters, have you chosen to muster your considerable resources to deny churches and schools and community-based organizations just a little piece of the broadcast pie?"
"What this is about is fear of new entrants in the market," he said. "It is no different from the battles to kill low power TV, cable TV, satellite radio and satellite television."
Chairman Kennard said the interference issue was not a problem, noting that "interference is and always has been a solvable problem." He said the broadcasters' bill in Congress is mere "protectionist legislation," adding, "There's a long and unfortunately disappointing history of efforts to kill competition in this sector."
He committed categorically to protecting every incumbent FM service from harmful interference, from the radio reading services to the commercial stations and everything in between.
Chairman Kennard warned the broadcasters that, while they were consumed by the Low Power FM fight, they were missing opportunities brought about by emerging digital technologies. He cited examples of companies and industries that were seizing the digital opportunity and urged broadcasters to join them enthusiastically.