U.S. bishops say public service TV still needs federal mandate

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June 2006

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U.S. bishops say public service TV still needs federal mandate
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U.S. bishops say public service TV
still needs federal mandate
WASHINGTON (June 6, 2006)—In a letter (May 23) to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, the Chairman of the Communications Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said enforceable public interest obligations will continue to be needed when television becomes completely digital in 2009.

“Today, even as the broadcast industry continues to benefit from its subsidized use of the public airwaves, broadcasters’ observance of meaningful public interest obligations have declined,” said Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson. “We ask that, in exchange for the use of tens of billions of dollars worth of new spectrum rights, broadcasters be required to put forth a substantial effort to provide programming that better serves the public.”

Kicanas said the experience of the USCCB and the nearly 200 Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the United States is that there has been a steady decline in television stations willing to broadcast noncommercial religious programming or local public interest programming featuring local religious leaders. “The Catholic bishops of the United States are concerned that, with the imminent conversion to all digital broadcasts, the already limited amount of religious programming will decline even further,” the bishop said.

“The USCCB is committed to maintaining a place for religion and values on the public airwaves and to programming that inspires, informs and educates,” Kicanas said.

“We urge the FCC to adopt regulations that would provide broadcasters incentives to air programs produced by religious institutions, organizations, schools, and other community-based organizations,” Kicanas wrote. Such regulations could include shorter periods for license renewal review, he suggested, or a provision that would ensure that local licensees will understand and meet local religious needs and interests with responsive programming.

Last November, Bishop Kicanas wrote to Commissioner Martin to urge the Federal Communications Commission to complete its proceedings in the matter of Public Interest Obligations of TV Broadcasters and Licensees (MM Docket No. 99-36) and Standardized and Enhanced Disclosure Requirements for Television Broadcast Licensee Public Interest Obligations (MM 20 Docket No. 00-168) and issue Reports and Orders in these matters before June 1, 2006. Since then, no action has been taken in those proceedings.

The date for the end of analog television and complete transition to digital television is February 17, 2009.

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