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DAVID CONNELL
Continuing his tirade against the broadcast industry, Federal Communications Commission Chairman William Kennard has asked the Mass Media Bureau to conduct a report on how broadcasters should serve the public interest while they complete the transition to digital.
Kennard made the request while opening a hearing on broadcasters' public interest obligations, again assailing the industry for allowing its programming standards to slide into what he sees as a malaise of sex and violence.
"Clearly (television) is a medium that we all must care about, particularly at a time when the images bombarding our homes and our families seem increasingly more troubling," Kennard said. "There is indisputably more inappropriate content - more questionable language, sex and violence - in today's primetime."
For their part, The National Associa-tion of Broadcasters touted the efforts some in the industry have made toward bringing five minutes of free airtime to political candidates and the challenges faced by those who do choose to give free airtime.
"We learned the five-minute concept tests more than a station's commitment," WCVB-TV president Paul LaCamera said, speaking for the NAB. "It challenges its creativity, as well. In New Hampshire, we faced the obstacle of the lack of accessibility and cooperation of two of the four principle candidates (for presidency)."
In addition to curbing violent and sexual content, Kennard wants broadcasters to give five minutes of free airtime to political candidates on a daily basis during election season.
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