FCC, McCain Push for More Election Coverage

[AmyStrange]

FCC, McCain Push for More Election Coverage

FROM: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040616/pl_nm/media_campaign_dc_1
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. television and radio broadcasters should expand coverage of the upcoming election and offer more public affairs programing, Federal Communication Commission Chairman Michael Powell and Sen. John McCain said on Wednesday.

The two called on News Corp. Ltd.'s Fox, Walt Disney Co.'s ABC, Viacom Inc.'s CBS, General Electric Co.'s NBC and the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents local affiliates, to do more to inform voters.

"We challenge all local broadcast television and local broadcast radio stations to ensure they are providing their local communities with significant information on the political issues facing the community, candidates' campaign platforms, and candidate debates during this election year," they said.

McCain and Powell cited a study that found most local broadcasters mainly focused only on campaign strategies and polling data instead of individual issues.

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[NMDemDist2]

1. finally! the FCC needs to force the

broadcasters to give free airtime to the candidates. It's the only hope we have of getting a clean election

[AmyStrange]

2. I couldn't agree with you more...

and maybe tax other advertising to pay for it,

d

[NMDemDist2]

3. nah, the networks can afford to give away 30 minutes a day for 90 days

every 2 years IMO, but you're right they'll raise all the other advertisers rates to "pay" for it

[AmyStrange]

7. a tax would be better...

because then it would be spread evenly amongst all whom apply and are legitimate news outlets - just a thought,

d

[jono]

4. Therein lies the key.

You said free airtime. Powell and McCain are simply calling for expanded airtime. Same corporate media, same BS coverage. (Only more of it.)

I'd like to believe that this is a good sign, but I continue to be skeptical of anything with Michael Powell's name on it.

[NMDemDist2]

5. baby steps, at least the subject is coming up

esp the "issues" not the "people and polls"

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Baby steps indeed.

[dusty64]

10. Me too, I will NEVER trust them.

chimp gets complete coverage of each and every rehashed and staged speech while Kerry is usually ignored and when he is covered it is usually cut off when he starts to connect the dots against our junta. I no longer watch tv "news", but do they every cut off chimp's speeches whenever there is "breaking news" in some fluff stories they are always pushing?

[KoKo]

6. Given that both are Repugs and Powell's daddy is "Very Powerful" sounds

like it might be "expanded coverage" for Repug issues. :-( Their track record so far doesn't lead one to believe they would be charitable towards us Dems.

[AmyStrange]

8. What I'd like to see...

is ALL campaign ads to stop (and anything directed at a specific political party) and only debates between candidates advertised (and maybe the topic to be debated),

d

[caffefwee]

11. Kerry could take Bush in a fight

Whether it's with words or fists. As they say in wrestling let's get ready to rumble or as Bush says BRING IT ON.

[TexasSissy]

12. "Inotherwords" (like Al says * says)....

lessen the media's coverage on the bad news coming out of Iraq?