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"David Eduardo" wrote in message ... "misterfact" wrote in message ... O.K. Mr. Apologist; First of all, David, I thought this was a low blow. I know that you're generally supportive of the broadcast industry, but for Mr Fact to call you this is unwarranted, and he should retract it. [i] if a RADIO TALK SHOW HOST takes money under the table to falsely promote a song, service or any product- this is also under FCC jurisdiction. That is plugola. If it can be proven, it is an FCC violation only if there was personal gain in exchange for promoting something unknown to management. If management does know, then it is, by definition, not plugola. If management, through stupidity or just plain greed, in the case of an otherwise popular host, allows stupid stuff to be aired and doesn't question why the host is saying stupid things, and in the process turns a blind eye to the issues being promoted so as not to uncover plugola, shouldn't management still be held responsible for failure to exersize reasonable diligence? I know I had a "public affairs" show killed that we ran on WTAE years ago. The agency who provided, for free, the half-hour program (which aired in the middle of the night on Sunday, in order to meet minimum public affairs hours in the days when such minimums were still in force) was something like the National Coal Producers' Association. Routinely this program would extol the virtues of burning "King Coal" (often slamming other energy sources), an advocacy which I felt was too one-sided, and obviously so considering the source of the program. After a few listens, the continuity/public affairs director agreed with me and pulled the show. What we got in its place, though, was even more boring. Well, at least no one was listening. Here's the FCC's letter to me from Norman Goldstein; Complaints and Investigation Branch; Enforcement Div; Mass Media bureau of the FCC: "The Commission has stated on several occassions that deliberate falsification or distortion of news or information is patenntly inconsistent with the public interest. This would fall under "fitness as a licencee" if the station is not being operated in the public interest. It's worth noting, though, how often this particular reason has been used to refuse renewal of a licensee. I'd guess zero (Red Lion was fairness doctrine violations, as I recall, as was Media, PA...I've forgotten the calls for these....WGCL and WXUR? But the Fairness Doctrine is gutted, now...there isn't a station on-air who would be liable for it, as it's so easily sidestepped by calling it entertainment programming. Then there was WHDH....RKO...these were financial shenanigans, if I remember correctly. So not a one lost a license based on "fitness".) In the "absence of substantial extrinsic evidence or documents that on their face reflect deliberate distortion" the Commission does not deem it useful or appropriate to investigate charges of distortion or the broadcast of false information." Now what else can you make of that other than: I make of it: the FCC just said to you, "kiss off." On that, I have to agree with you completely. The FCC (when they're awake) has a lot more serious things on their plate than having to wade into a potentially never-ending legal proceding, filled with lots of opinion, he-said/she-said and other soft disagreements, that I'd prefer the money be spent on the issues which actually have some relationship with mass media policy. Don't forget...there are still a number of people who are fooled when a station does an April Fool hoax. Who's fault is it that people lack the necessary tools to make their own determination? One should never believe anything heard or seen unless it's verified from other, preferably non-media, sources. And if they're not doing their homework, then oh, well. But at the same time, one has to hope these people don't vote. It may be a privilege, but there are responsibilities that few people actually accept, and in that regard I can see where Mr Fact is coming from. Speaking of stupidity, by the way....I think you said that you can't legislate against stupidity. Oh, but what a better world it would be if you could? Again, the FCC has abrogated that opportunity by eliminating news and public affairs minimums (yes, I'm aware of the irony that WTAE ran their PA stuff when no one was listening) but people would be much better informed if, on occasion, they stumbled on a real newscast once in a while! -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- There must always be the appearance of lawfulness....especially when the law's being broken. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- For direct replies, take out the contents between the hyphens. -Really!- |
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