Here's a statement from NAB President & CEO Edward O. Fritts in response
to the appointment of the Gore Commission, also known as the Advisory Committee
on the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters:
"Broadcasters welcome the opportunity to cooperate with the Gore Commission, but we will be vigilant in our resistance to government mandates that threaten the ability of local stations to determine how best to serve their communities.
"Any objective examination of our industry will reveal that local stations, when left alone, serve their communities with unparalleled spirit and generosity."
WESTCOTT'S COMENTARY: Does the NAB really mean that Howard Stern's broadcasters "serve their communities with unparalleled spirit and generosity"?
Does the NAB really mean that broadcasting a woman shoving a bottle of Jack Daniels up her pussy and squirting the cocktail into her husband's mouth serves the community with "unparalleled spirit and generosity"?
Does the NAB really mean that broadcasting Howard Stern and others fucking a rubber doll, serves the community with "unparalleled spirit and generosity"?
Does the NAB really mean that Howard Stern's "niggers", "bitches", "bastards" and "assholes" serves the community with "unparalleled spirit and generosity"?
Who in the fuck is the NAB trying to kid? Not me I hope! And, not the American public because we see through this NAB bullshit, don't we?
The NAB Legal & Regulatory Department represents broadcasters before
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other federal agencies,
courts at all levels, and other legal and regulatory bodies. We provide
legal guidance to NAB members through Counsel Memos, NAB HelpFax documents,
NAB legal/regulatory publications and phone/fax member consultations.
At NAB's spring convention, the Broadcasters' Law & Regulation Conference
includes over 20 timely and money-saving sessions. Similar sessions are
provided at the fall NAB Radio Show. Other services include special phone
hotlines coinciding with timely events such as national elections, and specialized
seminars, such as NAB's recently concluded three-year, nationwide program
of Radio License Renewal Seminar.
WASHINGTON, DC, February 2, 1998 p; The National Association of Broadcasters
today filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth
Circuit supporting an earlier decision by the District Court upholding the
government's seizure of the pirate's equipment.
The pirate broadcaster in Minnesota argued that he has the right to challenge
the FCC's regulations concerning power levels of licensed FM radio stations
as an affirmative defense to the United States' seizure of equipment he
used to operate an unlicensed station. NAB said that the District Court's
decision should be upheld because the FCC was enforcing the statutory ban
on unlicensed broadcasting in the Communications Act, and not FCC power
regulations.
NAB pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Communications
Act provisions of licensure for broadcast stations as constitutional for
over 60 years and that the licensing requirement is necessary to maintain
spectrum consistency and protect against airwave interference.
Further, even if the rules of the FCC were being challenged before the court,
NAB pointed out that they would have to be upheld because the Act gives
the FCC the right to set power levels for broadcasters.
"Pirate radio broadcasters are illegal. Period." NAB President/CEO
Edward O. Fritts states. "The court should affirm the rights of legal
broadcasters, but should not tolerate or condone lawbreakers."
NAB serves and represents America's radio and television stations and all
major broadcast networks.
WASHINGTON DC, September 3, 1997 -- The Executive Committee of the National
Association of Broadcasters today reaffirmed the trade group's commitment
to First Amendment values and principles and directed NAB staff to develop
a strategic plan of action in support of free speech rights of radio and
television stations.
The Executive Committee directed NAB staff to explore a series of new initiatives
in the First Amendment area. These endeavors will include outreach efforts
to legal scholars, think tanks and other organizations that are supportive
of pro-First Amendment policies. Also under consideration is a series of
NAB-sponsored symposia dealing with free speech issues and an effort to
educate younger broadcasters on the importance of the First Amendment.
The NAB Education Foundation, headed by Dr. Chuck Sherman, will play a central
role in the expanded First Amendment policy arena.
WASHINGTON, DC, January 28, 1998 -- In his 'State Of The Union' speech,
Mr. Clinton asked the Federal Communications Commission to make broadcasters
provide free (or reduced rate) airtime for political candidates.
In response to the President's plan for campaign reform the following is
the official policy statement from the President of the NAB.
"While we have not yet had time to review the language, the bill introduced today appears to represent another troubling development in the escalating efforts by Washington to limit speech. This legislation goes well beyond the V-chip and the 'voluntary' TV parental guidelines, and appears to cross into territory that represents a government attempt to control programming.
"Broadcasters have been down this path before in the mid-1970s, when an FCC chairman was chided by a federal court for 'jawboning' the industry into adopting a 'Family Viewing Hour.' If past is prologue, then today's legislation is likely to raise the same constitutional questions."