Thursday, April 11, 2024

O J Simpson Has Died At 76

OJ Simpson (1947-2024)

O.J. Simpson, whose life as American sports hero quickly turned when he was charged with the 1994 murder of his wife and her friend, died on Wednesday at the age of 76, his family announced on social media.

"On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace," the family posted on Simpson's X account.

Simpson ultimately was acquitted of stabbing to death Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century. But his life was forever changed; he went from a sports idol to a celebrity-in-exile before being sentenced to 33 years in prison for a bungled 2007 Las Vegas hotel robbery.

On the football field, Simpson was one of the game's all-time great running backs, ESPN reports.

He became USC's second Heisman Trophy winner in 1968, earning the most first-place votes (855) in the award's history. That season, he established a then-NCAA single-season rushing record with 1,709 yards as he guided the Trojans to a Rose Bowl appearance, where they lost to top-ranked Ohio State despite Simpson's 171 yards and 80-yard TD.
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Campaign Complaint Alleges iHM-Ted Cruz Hanky Panky


U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is facing a formal campaign finance complaint over money sent from the company that syndicates his podcast to a political action committee supporting his reelection bid.

The Texas Tribune reports the complaint, filed with the Federal Election Commission, alleges Cruz may have improperly directed radio distribution and marketing firm iHeartMedia to send over $630,000 to the Truth and Courage PAC, a group dedicated to Cruz’ reelection effort. The amount would exceed the $5,000 limit an officeholder is permitted to solicit for a super PAC.

End Citizens United and the Campaign Legal Center filed the complaint and are seeking a formal FEC investigation into the payments.

The terms of iHeartMedia’s payments are unclear. The company’s agreement with Cruz for distributing his podcast is not public. But the complaint asserts that Cruz could have violated campaign finance laws if he directed iHeartMedia to give to the super PAC by exceeding the solicitation limit.

The complaint also asserts the payments were improperly reported as “other receipts” rather than campaign contributions. “Other receipts” is generally reserved for interest or income on assets already owned by a PAC.

“By soliciting or directing $630,850.08 of iHeartMedia’s corporate funds to or on behalf of TCP in connection with his 2024 election, Cruz appears to have brazenly violated these federal campaign finance laws,” the complaint reads.

Cruz is the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees communications, media and broadcasting.

Cruz contends that he makes no money from the thrice-weekly podcast and that he volunteers his time as would any guest speaker on network news. The Senate Ethics Committee informed the Campaign Legal Center last February that it had found Cruz had not acted improperly.

But Cruz’s claim appeared to be contradicted earlier this year when Forbes and The Houston Chronicle reported on the company’s payments to the Truth and Courage PAC.

Truth and Courage PAC states on its website that its “focus is ensuring that Ted Cruz is re-elected to the United States Senate in 2024.” The group has raised and spent over $7 million since its creation, including over $2 million raised in this election cycle. The group works independently from Cruz’ campaign and is legally barred from coordinating strategy with him.

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NPR Responds To Editor's Concerns


NPR finds itself in the spotlight after a senior editor’s candid critique. Uri Berliner, a seasoned NPR editor with over 25 years of experience, has raised concerns about the network’s journalistic integrity and its relationship with the public.

In his essay titled “I’ve Been at NPR for 25 years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust,” Berliner delves into several critical points:

Diversity and Inclusion: Berliner highlights NPR’s strategic emphasis on diversity and inclusion based on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. While these efforts are commendable, he argues that they have inadvertently led to an “absence of viewpoint diversity.” The network’s push for representation may have unintentionally stifled open-mindedness.

Controversial Stories: Berliner points out specific stories where NPR’s coverage fell short. 

These include:

  • The question of whether former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election.
  • The origins of the virus causing COVID-19.
  • The significance and provenance of emails leaked from Hunter Biden’s laptop before the 2020 election.
  • NPR’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Groupthink and Diversity: Berliner contends that NPR has suffered from groupthink due to insufficient diversity of viewpoints within the newsroom. He calls for a more robust exchange of ideas to better serve the public.

NPR’s Response: NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon that she and the news leadership team strongly reject Berliner's assessment. "We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."

A spokesperson for NPR said Chapin, who also serves as the network's chief content officer, would have no further comment.

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NPR's 'Obsession' With DEI Scrutinized


The bombshell essay penned by a veteran National Public Radio journalist puts a spotlight on what's been called NPR's "obsession" with the left-wing DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) ideology.

Uri Berliner, the senior business editor and a 25-year NPR veteran, went viral for exposing how liberal groupthink has captured the NPR newsroom and drew significant attention to diversity becoming the news outlet's so-called "North Star" following the death of George Floyd in 2020.

"It was an anguished time in the newsroom, personally and professionally so, for NPR staffers. Floyd’s murder, captured on video, changed both the conversation and the daily operations at NPR," Berliner described in a piece published in The Free Press.

Berliner that he has heard from colleagues who secretly agree with him but can’t go public with their criticisms.

Fox News Digital reports Berliner repeatedly cited then-NPR CEO John Lansing, who left the organization last fall after a four-year tenure. 

An article published by NPR in September 2020 declared DEI "is not a project: it is our work" with Lansing stating, "the leaders in public media — starting with me — must be aware of how we ourselves have benefitted from white privilege in our careers. We must understand the unconscious bias we bring to our work and interactions. And we must commit ourselves — body and soul — to profound changes in ourselves and our institutions."

According to Berliner, Lansing "declared" that diversity of NPR's staff and audience was "the overriding mission, the ‘North Star’ of the organization" and that race and identity had "became paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace."

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NBC News' Cesar Conde’s Paid Board Positions Raise Ethical Concerns

Ceasar Conde

Cesar Conde, the Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, holds additional paid positions as a board member for both Walmart and PepsiCo. This dual role has raised ethical concerns within the news industry, given NBC’s commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest.

Conde’s responsibilities at NBC are vast, overseeing broadcast and digital platforms such as NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC, Telemundo, and local affiliates. However, his involvement with Walmart and PepsiCo has prompted discussions about potential conflicts of interest. While NBC refrains from commenting on the issue, it’s worth noting that Conde recuses himself from any reportage related to these companies.

Concerns have been voiced by industry figures, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding NBC’s hiring decisions. Although Conde’s recusal is a positive step, experts emphasize that transparency and journalistic integrity are crucial. As journalism leadership evolves, executives like Conde, who come from corporate backgrounds, must navigate potential conflicts with care.

In this changing landscape, media leaders face complex decisions regarding their affiliations. While some organizations have explicit codes restricting board engagements, others manage conflicts within their corporate family. For now, the specifics of any approval for Conde’s dual roles remain unclear.

For more information, you can read about this topic:  HERE

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R.I.P.: Mister Cee, Radio Personality, Record Executive

Mister CC (1967-2024)

DJ Mister Cee, aka The Finisher, a pioneering record executive, radio personality, and stalwart in the New York City hip-hop scene, has reportedly passed away at the age of 57.

The cause of death is not known.

Born Calvin LeBrun in the Bedford–Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Cee fell in love with hip-hop's burgeoning culture and started DJing at an early age. He went to high school with a future rap legend Big Daddy Kane. Eventually, he became Kane’s official DJ when he released his 1988 debut album, Long Live the Kane.

He also discovered The Notorious B.I.G. and served as the rapper’s DJ and an associate producer on his debut album Ready to Die.

During the 1990s, he began his long tenure as a DJ at New York’s Hot 97, where he was known for spinning the classics and breaking the music of rising artists.

Cee was also the co-host of The Beat 102.7 in Grand Theft Auto IV, along with DJ Green Lantern. 

Mister Cee’s long-running “Throwback at Noon” show became one of the most listened to programs on city radio at Hot 97.

At the time of his death, he was working for Audacy’s 94.7 The Block in New York. Skip Dillard, the brand manager of 94.7 The Block, said colleagues knew something was wrong when the station did not receive his next show. “It wasn’t like him to not send in his show and within two hours we found out he was gone,” Dillard said.

Hot 97 issued a statement about his passing:

Many took to social media to share their condolences and tributes to Cee when news of his passing became public.

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And America's Top Talkers Are...


TALKERS magazine publishes the 2024 edition of our long-running feature the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America, also known as the Heavy Hundred. 

Talk hosts making this prestigious list are nominated and voted on by the TALKERS magazine editorial board based on hard and soft factors including (in alphabetical order): courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent, and uniqueness. TALKERS editors acknowledge that compiling this annual list is as much art as science and that results are arguable. 

TALKERS magazine VP/executive editor Kevin Casey says, “Putting together this list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America never gets any easier. The number of hard-working talk radio hosts across the country make winnowing this down to merely 100 a painstaking task. That said, the editorial board believes this year’s Heavy Hundred truly reveals a snapshot of the makeup of the American talk radio industry in 2024. Congratulations to those hosts making this year’s Heavy Hundred.” 

The Top 10:
  1. Sean Hannity: A conservative commentator and host of “The Sean Hannity Show.”
  2. Dave Ramsey: Known for his financial advice and personal finance show.
  3. Mark Levin: A constitutional lawyer and author who hosts “The Mark Levin Show.”
  4. Brian Kilmeade: Co-host of “Fox & Friends” and a radio personality.
  5. Joe Madison: A civil rights activist and host of “The Joe Madison Show.”
  6. Dana Loesch: A conservative commentator and author.
  7. Mike Gallagher: A radio host with a focus on conservative viewpoints.
  8. Thom Hartmann: A progressive talk show host.
  9. Michael Berry: Known for his conservative talk show.
  10. Joe Pagliarulo (Joe Pags): Host of “The Joe Pags Show.”
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ESPN Signs Deal With Manning Brothers


ESPN has reached a long-term, multi-platform media rights extension with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, extending the existing, unprecedented partnership into 2034. The deal will see the continuation of the Emmy award-winning Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli and additional Omaha original content such as Peyton’s Places and Eli’s Places.

ESPN’s newest agreement with Omaha Productions follows an original three-year agreement in 2021 and an extension announced in 2022. The new nine-year agreement will continue to grow the successful content partnership between ESPN and Omaha with opportunities for collaboration across multiple platforms.

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Continues

Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli continues its award-winning series. The series blends real-time analysis with authentic commentary from two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. The brothers are also joined each week by celebrity friends from the worlds of sports and entertainment. Since the series debuted in 2021, the ManningCast has become a cultural and critical sensation and credited for popularizing another way for fans to watch live sports.

The series achieved the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Series in 2022 and Peyton earned the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Sports Event Analyst in 2023. The ManningCast holds the top 15 spots among ESPN’s most-watched alternate telecasts, with individual editions approaching two million viewers.
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4/11 WAKE-UP CALL: Consumers Still Feel The Pinch

NY Post 4/11/24

Last month’s hot inflation report upended the case for the Fed to cut interest rates in June. The consumer-price index, a measure of goods and services prices across the economy, rose 3.5% in March from a year earlier, the Labor Department said. That was a bit higher than economists had forecast and up from February’s 3.2%. So-called core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy categories, also rose more than expected on a monthly and annual basis. 


A third straight month of above-expectations inflation data could convince the central bank to postpone rate cuts until July or later. Its benchmark federal-funds rate is at a 23-year high. The CPI reading rattled U.S. markets.

➤TRUMP DOESN'T FAVOR NEW SPY LAW: House Republican holdouts blocked a critical but controversial national-security spying law. The procedural vote failed 193-228, leaving the future of surveillance up in the air one week before so-called Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is due to expire. Democratic and Republican administrations have said the program is vital to protect the country from terrorists, hackers and other foreign threats, but critics point to the collection of some American communications without a warrant. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, had urged passage of the legislation, but this morning, Donald Trump on social media encouraged the GOP to kill it. Separately, Arizona will be ground zero for the abortion fight, a major issue for voters in the swing state. The Arizona Supreme Court’s decision yesterday to bring back a 160-year-old near total ban on the procedure has Republicans on defense.

➤HAMAS URGED TO TAKE DEAL: President Joe Biden pushed Hamas on Wednesday to agree to his administration's latest cease-fire and hostage release proposal. "[It] is now up to Hamas. They need to move on the proposal that's been made," Biden said. CIA Director Bill Burns shared the proposal with negotiators over the weekend in Cairo. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the ball is in Hamas' court to respond. The U.S. is working with Egypt and Qatar to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas that would reportedly involve a six-week cease-fire in exchange for the release of 40 militant-held hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

➤NEW LAND CROSSING TO ALLOW AID:  Less than a week after President Joe Biden said conditions in Gaza are unacceptable and demanded they improve, Israel said it will open a new land crossing to allow more humanitarian aid to enter the embattled territory. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters Wednesday the new border crossing, between the southern Israeli community of Zikim and the coastal northern Gaza town of As-Siafa, would make it easier to bring in supplies from overseas and from Jordan to the east. “These breakthroughs have a direct impact on the flow of aid – we plan to flood Gaza with aid," Gallant said. "It will also streamline security checks and strengthen our work with international partners.”

➤ISRAELI AIR STRIKE KILLS 3 SONS OF HAMAS LEADER: Israeli airstrikes killed three adult sons of the head of Hamas’s political leadership. Israel said they were members of the group’s military wing. Four of Ismail Haniyeh’s grandchildren also died in the attack in Gaza on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, according to Hamas. Haniyeh said his sons’ deaths wouldn’t affect the militant group’s negotiating stance. It has largely rejected a U.S. cease-fire plan, mediators said earlier. The dismissal reflects Hamas’s growing confidence that pressure on Israel to end the war gives the U.S.-designated terrorist group the upper hand in negotiations. Hamas said it would put forward its own plan. The U.S. proposal has the group releasing 40 of its hostages in exchange for 900 Palestinians in Israel’s jails, including 100 serving long sentences on terrorism-related charges. Many of the 133 hostages held in Gaza are believed dead.

➤SHOOTING IN PHILLY: A celebration of the end of Ramadan turned into a firefight on Wednesday after two arguing groups broke out their guns at an Eid al-Fitr event in West Philadelphia.

Multiple people were wounded, including an armed 15-year-old who was shot twice by a cop when he did not drop his weapon, according to local Fox affiliate WTXF. It was just before 2:30 p.m. when police heard about 30 gunshots ring out, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a news conference Wednesday evening. About a 1,000 people were gathered in a park near the Philadelphia Masjid mosque. Four males and a female were taken into custody as they attempted to run away, and four weapons were recovered from the scene, Bethel said. One of the four, the 15-year-old who was armed, was wounded in the arm and leg by police fire.

➦The Story Continues Here..
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NYC Radio: WBAI Facing Tower Eviction..Again


Non-Com WBAI 99.5 FM, the iconic radio station in New York City, is once again facing a critical situation. The station, known for its progressive programming, is on the brink of eviction from a tower site in Manhattan. This existential threat could potentially silence WBAI’s voice, impacting its ability to reach listeners within a 90-mile radius.

In 2018, WBAI relocated its transmitter to the antenna atop 4 Times Square after a prolonged legal battle with the Empire State Building over unpaid rent. The dispute, which involved a staggering sum of $1,819,687.52, was resolved through a $2 million bridge loan from supporters of 90.7 KPFK Los Angeles. This financial lifeline prevented the building’s ownership from seizing WBAI’s license as an asset.

Now, history repeats itself. The station owes $150,000.00 to 4 Times Square, and the threat of eviction looms large. To combat this crisis, WBAI has launched an “Emergency Tower Fund” with the goal of raising $200,000.

WBAI 99.5 FM (10 Kw)

Listeners, supporters, and advocates of independent media can rally behind WBAI during this critical time. Let’s stand together to ensure that WBAI’s voice remains strong and unwavering, echoing across the New York City skyline.  For more information and to contribute to the Emergency Tower Fund, visit WBAI’s website.

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NAB Show To Explore Future Trends


With 160 countries represented, NAB Show April 13 - 17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is solidly the global destination for all things broadcast, media and entertainment. Dignitaries and delegations from six continents will convene to discover cutting-edge technologies, forge strategic partnerships and shape the future of content creation.

“We are excited to see growing participation in the Show from a number of areas across the globe, and honored to have so many important international dignitaries attending,” said Chris Brown, executive vice president and managing director, NAB Global Connections and Events. “NAB Show has always been the global gathering place for the media and entertainment industry – the collaboration and sharing of knowledge across all these markets is part of what makes the Show experience so special.”

International markets are seeing rapid expansion in over-the-top (OTT) streaming, live events, cinematic stories and e-sports and gaming. In fact, total gaming revenue is expected to rise from $227 billion in 2023 to $312 billion in 2027 – with advertising revenue alone expected to nearly double to $100 billion in 2025 (PWC). This growth has brought record-breaking investments close to a quarter billion dollars in content for markets such as South Korea, Germany and India.

The international creator scene comes alive as storytellers from around the globe converge at the Show. Here, global film and TV councils, commissions, alliances and guilds convene to refine their craft and advance content creation worldwide. This year, groups from Canada, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Nepal, South Korea and the United Kingdom will journey to join their global creator community.

This year, 34 delegation buying groups from all over the world will attend NAB Show, including 10 new groups representing regions spanning Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Oceania and Central Asia, as well as hundreds of international journalists. With nearly 40 percent of registered press coming from outside the U.S., NAB Show anticipates extensive global coverage.

Hot topics on the international stage include new technology, gaming and cinematography. Sessions of interest:A Case Study of Caliente TV's Studio Build and the Latin America Broadcast Market: This all-Spanish speaking panel will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities associated with building and operating studios and production facilities in the Latin American market.
Catch a Global Star: Unveiling the Rise of Non-English Entertainment: A crash course on the future of global entertainment, this town hall conversation will dive into the statistics of a remarkable shift of content investment.
Shaping the Future of Television: Brazil's Journey to TV 3.0 and the Paris Olympics Live Broadcast Trials: Learn how Brazil will utilize the 2024 Paris Olympics to pave the way for its TV3.0 rollout in 2025.
A Case Study on Problem-Solving Innovations in Virtual Production Workflows: The Emerging Media Lab at Whistling Woods International, a leading film school in India, will demo a new metadata transfer protocol and cutting-edge hardware and software to seamlessly incorporate external hardware and workflows.
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Talk Clock Ticking Between Skydance, National Amusements


Skydance Media, led by CEO David Ellison, is making waves in the world of sports media. They are eyeing a significant deal that could reshape the landscape, and it involves CBS parent company Paramount Global.

  • Here’s the scoop: David Ellison aims to acquire National Amusements, the company controlled by the Shari Redstone family, which in turn oversees CBS parent Paramount Global. The proposed transaction is a two-stage affair:
  • Cash for Redstone: In the first stage, Redstone would receive over $2 billion in cash.
  • All-Stock Deal: The second stage involves Paramount Global acquiring Skydance in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $5 billion. If this deal goes through, David Ellison is likely to lead the new combined entity.

The negotiations are ongoing, but both parties have agreed to a month of exclusive talks, hinting at the possibility of a definitive agreement1. This development comes shortly after Paramount Global’s earlier merger discussions with TNT Sports parent Warner Bros. Discovery fell through.

Why the Interest? Since the passing of Shari Redstone’s late father, Sumner, in 2020, Paramount Global’s stock has declined significantly—by nearly two-thirds. This puts pressure on Redstone to enhance shareholder value. S&P Global Ratings even downgraded the company’s debt to junk status last month.

If the deal materializes, it would consolidate a media powerhouse under one roof. Paramount Global holds rights to the NFL, half of the men’s March Madness, top college conferences, and golf’s Masters, among other assets. Meanwhile, Skydance boasts a fast-growing documentary unit, responsible for popular projects like “Kelce” on Amazon Prime Video. Notably, the NFL itself is an investor in Skydance Media.

Financial Backing and Leadership Changes Skydance is expected to receive financial support for the Paramount Global deal from Larry Ellison, RedBird Capital Partners, and KKR. Additionally, Jeff Shell, former NBCUniversal CEO and current RedBird chairman of sports and media, may assume a senior leadership role in the combined operation if the deal goes through.

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4 Members Of Paramount's Board Expected to Resign


Four members of Paramount Global's board are expected to step down soon as the entertainment giant controlled by Shari Redstone discusses a merger with Skydance Media, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Former Spotify executive Dawn Ostroff, Sony Entertainment ex-president Nicole Seligman, Redstone attorney Rob Klieger and investment banker Frederick Terrell are expected to leave the board in the next few weeks, the report said citing people familiar with the matter.

Paramount declined to comment. Klieger did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while the other three directors could not be immediately reached.

Earlier this month, a source told Reuters that Paramount's board had agreed to enter exclusive merger talks with Skydance Media, which is led by CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

A deal would combine Paramount with Ellison's independent media house that is behind films such as "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One".

Seligman, who is also on the board of OpenAI, Terrell and Ostroff are on a special committee of independent directors tasked with pursuing the best possible deal for Paramount, whether that is with Skydance or another suitor, the Journal reported on Wednesday.

It added at least one of the directors who is stepping down expressed concern about the potential Skydance deal.

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WNBA, CBS Sports Sign Long-Term Agreement


CBS Sports and the WNBA announced Wednesday a new multi-year agreement that features the most-ever broadcast games for the Network. CBS Sports will present eight regular season games per year on the CBS Television Network beginning with the 2024 season. An additional 12 games will be televised on CBS Sports Network for the duration of the deal. The new agreement extends the existing five-year partnership with the league.

“We’re thrilled to extend our strong partnership with the WNBA,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “As the league continues to build momentum, this is a great opportunity to expand our broadcast presence and further lean into our commitment to providing a national platform for women’s sports.”

Broadcast coverage for the 2024 season tips off on Saturday, May 25 (1:00 PM, ET) with the Minnesota Lynx hosting the New York Liberty on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+. That night, CBS Sports Network coverage begins with the Connecticut Sun visiting the Chicago Sky at 8:00 PM, ET.

Other schedule highlights include a CBS doubleheader on Saturday, August 17 beginning with the Minnesota Lynx hosting the Washington Mystics at 2:00 PM, ET, followed by a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals with the New York Liberty traveling to take on the Las Vegas Aces at 4:00 PM, ET.

See below for CBS Sports’ full 2024 WNBA Schedule:

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NAB, NPR On Opposing Sides Of FCC Local Programming Initiative


The FCC has proposed prioritizing licensing and application procedures for radio stations that dedicate at least three hours per week to locally originated programming. This proposal has sparked debate about its potential impact and effectiveness. Let’s delve into the opposing viewpoints:

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB):  The NAB strongly opposes the FCC’s proposal. They argue that it fails to incentivize broadcasters to provide more local journalism or generate other locally originated content. According to the NAB, the proposal overlooks the economic and competitive realities that influence broadcasters’ programming decisions. The NAB emphasizes that broadcasters have a unique obligation to offer free services to the public. They contend that the proposal will not effectively boost local journalism or programming.

Challenges faced by broadcasters include high costs and diminished advertising revenues due to the proliferation of digital media. Instead of complicating the application review process, the NAB urges the FCC to adopt policies that enhance broadcasters’ ability to compete and invest in local content.

National Public Radio (NPR): NPR supports the FCC’s goal of enhancing local journalism but expresses concerns about the proposal’s impact on public radio stations. Public radio plays a significant role in delivering local content, especially in rural and underserved communities. However, NPR believes that the proposal offers little support for public radio stations. NPR recommends that the FCC develop more tailored incentives and consider reducing regulatory burdens to encourage local content from public radio licensees.

Other Perspectives:

  • The musicFIRST Coalition and Future of Music Coalition support the FCC’s proposal, viewing it as a step toward fostering local engagement.
  • Despite concerns raised by KLOVE and Air1 Christian music noncomm networks parent Educational Media Foundation, musicFIRST sees the proposal as a straightforward method to encourage a minimal level of local programming engagement.

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