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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2002 |
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Susanna Zwerling at (202) 418-2000 | |
COMMISSIONER COPPS CALLS FOR CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS MADE BY PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INTEREST OBLIGATIONS; CALLS CURRENT “RACE TO THE BOTTOM” SAD
In a speech to the “TV Summit” of the Committee on Communications of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps renewed his call for the broadcast and cable industries to adopt a voluntary code of conduct. Copps noted that the “industry has been slow to respond” to his call for a new code of conduct “that would raise the lowest common denominator” in terms of broadcast and cable programming.
In the absence of voluntary industry initiative, Copps suggested that the Commission consider what it can do, including dusting off the recommendations in the “Final Report of the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters.” These recommendations include minimum public interest requirements and enhanced disclosure of public interest broadcasting.
“I’d still prefer an industry-led effort,” Copps said, “but letting the current dive to the bottom continue unabated is unacceptable.”
Copps predicted “a lot of support all across America for jump starting a national dialogue” on the issue of broadcasting standards.