Press Statement of Commissioner Susan Ness in Response to the President's State of the Union Address

[ Text Version ]

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Federal Communications Commission
1919 - M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554 News media information 202 / 418-0500
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
ftp.fcc.gov

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).

January 28, 1998

PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER SUSAN NESS
IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

The President's call for television broadcasters to provide free or reduced cost TV time to candidates raises an important issue. Citizens are rightly concerned about the massive amounts of money needed to run for public office today. We know the largest component of these expenses is broadcast time.
I agree that the FCC should initiate a proceeding to examine the matter of candidate access to the public airwaves. Such a proceeding would enable us to build a record based on suggestions from candidates, broadcasters, and members of the public. It would enable us to review various ways in which the President's goals could be accomplished.
I believe it will be especially useful to incorporate the views of the Gore Commission, the presidential advisory committee on public interest obligations of television broadcasters in a digital environment. I hope this group, which has already met a number of times, will develop recommendations that creatively and thoughtfully address issues raised by advocates for free time as well as by commercial and noncommercial broadcasters.
I also believe the Congress will help to inform our views on free time, as it considers the larger question of political campaign finance reform. As the new session of Congress opens, I am hopeful that the legislative attempts to enact meaningful reform will succeed this year.

- FCC -

	NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	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).
	January 28, 1998
	PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER SUSAN NESS IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
	The President's call for television broadcasters to provide free or reduced cost TV time to candidates raises an important issue. Citizens are rightly concerned about the massive amounts of money needed to run for public office today. We know the largest component of these expenses is broadcast time. I agree that the FCC should initiate a proceeding to examine the matter of candidate access to the public airwaves. Such a proceeding would enable us to build a record based on suggestions from candidates, broadcasters, and members of the public. It would enable us to review various ways in which the President's goals could be accomplished. I believe it will be especially useful to incorporate the views of the Gore Commission, the presidential advisory committee on public interest obligations of television broadcasters in a digital environment. I hope this group, which has already met a number of times, will develop recommendations that creatively and thoughtfully address issues raised by advocates for free time as well as by commercial and noncommercial broadcasters. I also believe the Congress will help to inform our views on free time, as it considers the larger question of political campaign finance reform. As the new session of Congress opens, I am hopeful that the legislative attempts to enact meaningful reform will succeed this year. - FCC -