(Folks FYI - these are MY views - NOT WAMU's or AU's or any other "U's" !! )

Some of the more generically-sounding commercial broadcasters who have profited handsomely for decades from the people of the communities they beam at are throwing up their arms in disgust at the Federal Communication Commission's proposed regulations which would require them to give something back to those communities.

This would mandate them to have their main studios based in their city of license, hold community consultation meetings about their programs, and (perish the thought) cover some local news events.

"Inside Radio" reports that Simmons Media, a group which owns 25 stations in 8 markets, has told the FCC the new plans would cost them an additional $2.7 million a year.They would have to build new facilities, hire new staff (including air talent), "without any opportunity for additional revenue."

In making their proposals, the FCC conducted six public meetings across the country and received 83-thousand comments from listeners. This, says the FCC "eloquently demonstrates the importance with which the public views the concept of localism: the obligation of stations to provide service vital to their communities."

There are many examples of commercial stations which do a fine job reporting local news, like our colleagues at NBC4 on TV, or WTOP on radio, and the resistance to localism of others helps us build a local audience in public radio. It is also short-sighted economics. Study after study in public radio emphasizes the benefits in increasing listening and audience commitment of covering issues and culture pertinent to the local community, as we do with Kojo, our local news team (including Metro Connection and Art Beat), Bluegrasscountry.org, and other shows, channels and segments). If we were to become playlist-driven, generic, and formulaic, and beam our content from Mars, I'm sure our Membership Campaigns would suffer pretty quickly.

Mark
Program Director