11-5-13
Today, new FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler addressed the FCC staff where he thanked Commissioner Clyburn for her leadership as acting chair and introduced his new team. He also discussed his vision for the agency, which includes: the promotion of economic growth, his unabashed support of competition, and the importance of security and public safety. Read the full blog post HERE
5-31-13
The Huffington Post is helping the Media Action Center promote the organizations attempt to stifle the long success of Talk Radio, mainly Rush Limbaugh, and put pressure on radio stations to let them on the air via government mandate. MAC is circulating a petition called "Tell the FCC: Talk Radio is NOT Bonafide News," hoping to get in the ear early of Tom Wheeler, President Obama's nominee for FCC Chairman, and claiming 3/4 of Americans do not believe Talk Radio is bonafide news.. Wilson claims Democrats (read: liberals) are being denied free speech and that "corporate radio stations have abused their licensed privilege to broadcast over our public airwaves." The organization is pinning their hopes on the long forgotten and long unenforced Zapple Doctrine, along with claiming their 1st amendment rights are being violated. Talk radio specialists have always said the reason left or liberal radio has never succeeded is because it lacks any entertainment value.
The Zapple Doctrine basically held that when a broadcast station gave airtime to the supporters of one side?s political candidate, they had an obligation to give like airtime to the supporters of the opposition candidate. "The Zapple Doctrine has not been enforced by the FCC for decades. It is highly questionable whether it has any validity now that the Fairness Doctrine and restrictions on political editorials are no more", according to broadcast attorney John Garziglia. .
Wilson opines..."Will Wheeler choose to put the public interest first, or will his FCC continue to simply turn a blind eye, as the agency has done since the Reagan administration?" She then goes on to claim giant radio stations are illegally promoting one political party over another. "And on the issue of "bonafide news," if the FCC does what it normally does --- that is, cave in to industry desires --- we can say goodbye to any firewall between true journalism and propaganda over our public airwaves. The blurring between fact and opinion will go unabated, and Rush Limbaugh will be featured in journalism textbooks alongside Walter Cronkite."
The Media Action Center is attempting to have the license renewal of Journal's WTMJ-AM based on programming disagreements, a violation of the first amendment and the failure of station management to have character (you can read Journal's response to that attempt HERE). This decision may come before Wheeler's FCC. Wilson claims, "One of the first questions Wheeler's FCC will have to (reluctantly?) decide: Is talk radio the same as "bonafide news"?
Back to Garziglia who says The Media Action Center Petition to Deny, and its blog posting, is a misinformed hyperbolic attempt to have the government use its licensing processes to silence a speaker with whom MAC disagrees. "If the FCC was to use its licensing power to silence a radio station for the broadcast of programming that it, or certain citizens, disagreed, that would be a clear violation of the First Amendment. Thankfully, the FCC has not shown the propensity to engage in such censorship, at least for political speech (indecency is another issue altogether), for some time now."
Garziglia concludes, "Radio listeners often have the erroneous impression that they, or others who are not the radio station licensee, have some sort of First Amendment right to airtime. That is wholly wrong. With the exception of equal opportunities afforded by law to political candidates themselves, there is no such right to airtime. Rather, the First Amendment right is the radio station?s right to broadcast free of governmental censorship or restraint, in the same way that a newspaper publisher or any speaker or writer enjoys that same right to speak and write."
(6/1/2013 1:43:33 PM)
jim s, the law says that only "major party" candidates and their supporters must have comparable time. I personally would like to see smaller party candidates also have time on the radio. But for now, I am just trying to get existing law enforced.
(6/1/2013 1:39:53 PM)
Let us please remember that it is WTMJ attorneys who are legally arguing that talk radio IS bonafide news.
Personally, I would like to see stations run brief disclaimers before talk shows, saying this is information and opinion, and before news, saying this is news.
That might help the 22% of Americans that believe talk radio is news.
It seems to me that every time he gets himself in hot water by defaming someone, he claims that he's an "entertainer."
1/23/2012
James Delmonico was 91 when he died peacefully Saturday, his family by his side. He was Chairman from 1991 and 1994 and is credited with the resurrection of the Broadcast Pioneers and changing the organization?s name to the Broadcasters Foundation. A foundation statement said "Inheriting an organization with a treasury of less than $30,000 and few grant recipients in 1991, through Delmonico?s leadership and inspiration, and that of his successors - Ward Quaal, Edward McLaughlin and Chairman Philip Lombardo - the organization today has an outreach that will exceed $700,000 in grants this year.
Corrent Broadcasters Foundation Chairman Philip Lombardo praised Jim?s leadership and guidance: ?Jim was a tireless leader for the organization, inspiring the appointment of many notables to the board of directors with new focus, determination, and purpose. Jim was known for challenging his fellow board members to be supportive both financially and by encouraging others to do so. Under his chairmanship, Jim brought new strengths to the organization in those early and important bedrock years. He will be missed.?
As a broadcaster, Delmonico played a significant role in General Electric?s expansion to radio and television. He was elected Vice President of both GE Broadcasting and GE Cablevision Corporation and transferred to Schenectady where, in 1974, he took on the added responsibility of being the Vice President and General Manager of WRGB-TV, WGY-AM, and WGY-FM. He was named "Broadcaster of the Year" in 1991 by the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA), and as a Director of the organization as well as Chairman of the NYSBA's Legislative Committee.
Funeral services for Delmonico will be held Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church in Syracuse, NY. Donations to the Broadcasters Foundation can be made in Jim Delmonico?s name at www.broadcastersfoundation.org, or by contacting 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.
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July 6, 2011
Jack Myers is a media economist and chairman of Media Advisory Group. MAG invests in early stage companies that advance and support the media ecosystem and represents management teams in the sale of media companies with value of more than $100 million. Jack writes the weekly (subscriber-only) Jack Myers Media Business Report, publishes JackMyersThinkTank.com and MediaBizBloggers.com blog platform for industry thought leaders, and is the author of three books on advertising, including Building Brands and Profits in The Relationship Age, written in 1998. Jack?s weekly video commentary on the media economy can be viewed at Reuters Insider. Jack is the recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award for journalism, won the Crystal Heart Award from the Heartland Film Festival, and has been nominated for both an Academy and Emmy Award.
"I'm excited to be co-chairing Forecast 2012 with Peter Smyth. Our goal is to deliver insights, case studies and practical knowledge that can support radio management as they navigate through this transformational period," according to Jack Myers. "Jack Myers is a well known and highly respected media forecaster and analyst. We are delighted he has agreed to co chair Forecast 12 and excited for the chance to draw on his wealth of business and financial acumen for this year's conference," said Deborah Parenti, Vice President and General Manager of Radio Ink in making the announcement.
For more than two decades, Jack has been among the media industry's leading visionaries and economic forecasters. He has advised more than 250 media companies, marketers and agencies on business transformation, revenue-development and organizational best practices. Clients have included Disney/ABC, General Motors, Coca-Cola, The Huffington Post, TiVo, Sears Roebuck, Campbell Soup Co., Clorox, Reebok, AT&T, Kmart, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, TJX Corp., Turner Broadcasting, CBS-TV, AOL, Discovery Communications, The Weather Channel, Met Life, Time Warner, Golf Magazine, Aegis Group, Mediaedge and Fox Broadcasting. He currently has investments in 15 companies including Tremor Media, MyYearbook.com, Rally Marketing, Echo Systems, HeresYourNeighborhood.com, CatalystSF, adGenesis, TRA Global, Marketshare and Simulmedia.
Register for the conference and receive the early registration rate at www.radioink.com/forecast or by calling 561.655.8778.
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July 1, 2011
Steve Newberry is the President and CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting. A company he co-founded which is now up to 22 stations. Newberry started his career at age 14 as a board op at WKAY in Glasgow Kentucky. Last month Newberry completed a 2-year run as the joint board president of the National Association of Broadcasters. Not only was Newberry running his company but he was volunteering his time helping radio, and television owners, deal with the wonderful world of politics. He tells Radio Ink, among other things, his experience was "time consuming and challenging" and not always a bed of roses.
"It was an incredible experience. While it was extremely time consuming and had its share of challenging moments, it also gave me an even deeper and greater appreciation for America?s broadcast community. Working with all types of broadcasters (radio/tv, public/private, small market/large market, etc) allowed me insight to the variety of challenges each faces. But, regardless of their structure or location, it is very obvious how passionate those broadcasters are about serving their listeners/viewers and their communities."
Being that, for some reason, members of the NAB, many of whom fight for the flow of free information, conduct only closed board meetings we wanted to get some "inside the boardroom" information from someone who was there. "Whenever you deal with difficult topics or strong personalities, there?s always a possibility of disagreements and tough discussions", Newberry told us. "I?ve certainly been involved in many of those types of conversations over the past two years, but they generally remained professional in nature. With one exception, I would be happy to sit down and have a friendly cup of coffee with anyone I?ve met with or had a discussion with." And, while we tried to guess who that one person was, Newberry wasn't biting.
Newberry says he loved dealing with the tough issues. "Being in the midst of some very interesting topics, and navigating through those issues with many of our industry?s brightest and most intelligent leaders, kept me on my toes. I loved that experience. I believe NAB?s reputation and strength in Washington have provided so much benefit to America?s broadcasters. Before I became actively involved with NAB, I had no clue of how many bad concepts never become realities because NAB is so strong, influential and respected. Many special interest groups want to chip away at local broadcasters and are constantly offering new ideas to accomplish that goal?.and NAB is able to stop 99% of them dead in their tracks. They realize taking on the strength of NAB and its member stations is a tall order and will not end in success. Issues like the Performance Tax and the FCC?s Spectrum Grab are frustrating for local broadcasters?.but without NAB?s strong presence, there would dozens more issues eroding local broadcasters and our business models."
Newberry says when he was first elected board chair he set four goals. "First, I wanted to foster a spirit of solidarity among radio and television broadcasters because we are clearly stronger when we present a united front on policy matters in Washington. We have been very successful in that effort and it is paying big dividends for NAB. Second, we were in the midst of a search for our new CEO. We needed to find someone that would be a strong advocate for broadcasting, a great communicator, a builder of relationships, a tough negotiator and highly respected on Capitol Hill. Frankly, that sounded like an impossible order to fill ? but Gordon Smith has met and exceeded our highest expectations. Third, I hoped NAB would increase its role as a technology leader for the industry. Lynn Claudy and his team had done a great job with very limited resources ? and we needed to support their efforts with a stronger institutional commitment to technology. Since that time, we?ve added the outstanding technology resources from the MSTV staff and have welcomed Kevin Gage as NAB?s new Chief Technology Officer. We?re much stronger now, and I am convinced that will be beneficial to our future. Finally, I stepped into the role in the midst of the Great Recession. Like any of our businesses, NAB was faced with a more challenging financial environment. Thanks to our great staff, we became even more efficient in delivering our member services ? increasing the value of NAB for our membership. In addition, we were able to protect and build our investment fund ? ensuring we have very adequate resources for our big-issue battles. Certainly, there are other items still unresolved ? but I believe, across-the-board on those issues, we?re in a much better position now then we were. Give credit to a great board of directors, staff and executive committee for us making the progress we did. They worked like crazy and we accomplished those four goals."
Paul Karpowiz was elected the new joint board chair (he comes from the TV side). And Newberry offered up a little advice for the new man with the gavel. "Paul Karpowicz is an incredibly bright and successful television broadcaster, who has always been very supportive of the radio board?s efforts. He really didn?t need my advice, but I said, ?You?ve been around this organization and you know what a strong staff and board you have to work with. I?m here to help you in any manner you wish?so never hesitate to call or put me to work.? I want to make sure I?m totally helpful and supportive of Paul. He will do a great job."
Newberry says if stations are not part of the NAB, they should strongly consider signing up. Here's why. "Having a strong NAB is the equivalent of getting a vaccination for a terrible disease. Nobody wants the pain of the shot, but can you risk going without? Likewise, everyone wants to control expenses in these tough times?but can broadcasters really risk going without a strong NAB? If there is ANY way possible, put NAB into your budget. It is a vital investment in the future of our/your business. And from a personal note, I would encourage every GM in America to join and NAB and get involved. Go to the conventions, network with other broadcasters, serve on committees, run for board seats, serve on a convention panel?..those activities have been the real reward for me. I have learned so many valuable lessons and ideas from fellow broadcasters. Those conversations have saved me enough money to pay my NAB dues many times over."
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June 20, 2011
Chairman Julius Genachowski appointed Zachary Katz as Chief Counsel & Senior Legal Advisor. Katz will succeed Rick Kaplan, who recently became Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. As Chief Counsel Katz will manage the Commission's overall policy agenda, and will be responsible for policy coordination among the Bureaus and Offices. In addition, he will continue to have specific responsibility for wireline, international and Internet issues, including universal service reform, Open Internet, and satellite matters.
Genachowski also added Sherrese Smith as Senior Counsel and Amy Levine as a Legal Advisor. Smith will oversee the Media, Consumer, and Enforcement bureaus. Levine will oversee the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering & Technology, adding to her portfolio that currently includes spectrum auction policy and public safety issues.