Press Statement of FCC Chairman William Kennard
               Notice of Inquiry in the Matter of
     Public Interest Obligations of TV Broadcast Licensees
                       December 15, 1999

Television has been the most important medium of the 20th century, and has transformed
the way we live and see the world.  It's part of our social fabric.  As we move into the 21st century
television is undergoing a technological transformation.  We must make sure that as television
changes, broadcasters continue to serve the public in a variety of ways.

Digital television offers boundless opportunities for broadcasters -- the ability to carry
high definition images, to multicast, and to transmit data over the air.  It also provides
broadcasters with the opportunities to serve the public in new and innovative ways.  

Digital television offers boundless opportunities for broadcasters -- the ability to carry
high definition images, to multicast, and to transmit data over the air.  It also provides
broadcasters with the opportunities to serve the public in new and innovative ways.  

You may be familiar with my three c's - - competition, community, and common sense.  I
see this item as addressing the 4 d's - - disabilities, disasters, diversity, and discourse.

For Americans with disabilities, digital television gives broadcasters expanded technical
capacity with which they may provide or enhance such services as video description and closed
captioning.

 For disasters, DTV means the ability to direct emergency or disaster information directly
to the communities affected.  

For diversity, digital technology allows each station to provide several streams of
programming.  That gives broadcasters more opportunities to ensure that television serves the
needs of an increasingly diverse population, and more capacity to provide programming made to
serve the needs of children.

And for political discourse, free over-the-air television occupies a unique place in our
society, reaching virtually every home and every citizen.  Television is a space where people go to
exchange ideas about the political process.  It is essential to the way Americans participate in our
democracy.  Providing access to television for candidates for public office is an essential part of
the process.


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I have heard some broadcasters commit to voluntary actions that they say will enhance our
democracy in these ways.  I applaud those who have stepped forward.  But deeds are more
important than words, so I look forward to learning whether these commitments are being
honored.
     
The NOI adopted today will provide a forum for a public debate concerning how
broadcasters can best serve the public as we move into the new Millennium.  I look forward to
being part of this important debate in the coming months. 

                            - FCC -