Your Money or Your License (activists try to get TV licenses revoked)

[Newsjock]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454236?display=Breaking+News&referral=supp

By Bill McConnell -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/20/2004

Since going to work for media watchdog Parents Television Council (PTC) five years ago, Aubree Rankin has logged more than 7,000 hours scouring prime time shows for violent and sexual scenes.

She can't stand many shows she tracks in meticulous scene-by-scene detail, particularly the edgiest hits on CBS, her assigned network: CSI, Big Brother 4, Two and a Half Men and Cold Case. Nearly every week, she urges PTC members to complain to station managers, network chiefs, advertisers and the FCC.

Now, the group is turning up the heat. PTC, along with a handful of activist groups and individuals, is gearing up to challenge perhaps hundreds of local TV license renewals coming due for FCC review over the next three years. Such intervention reflects a bold new tactic by special-interest groups to make their voices heard by lawmakers in Washington.

... The United Church of Christ, which recently hired former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani as executive director of its Office of Communications, recently filed petitions to revoke the licenses of two Washington-area stations for failing to meet their children's-programming obligations.

The Alliance for Better Campaigns is also preparing challenges.

more

[Catt03]

1. Democrats should use the same tactic

truth in reporting or truth in broadcasting...there has to be some rule that you cannot tell bold face lies about someone nor

[RoyGBiv]

2. 7000 Hours?

This woman has a problem. I haven't watched that much television ... hell I can't think of how long it would take me to watch that much given what I normally view each day.

Ms. Rankin, step outside, into the light, turn off the tube. It's rotting your brain. This is an option we all can exercise, and without any of your idiotic laws.

[w4rma]

3. Interesting. Only CBS is mentioned, even though FOX is by far the worst.

Repugs are trying to squelch any decent at all, through any means possible, imho. They've already given CBS the biggest FCC fine in history for the Janet Jackson boob. They've threatened to fine Stern who started speaking out against Bush just before their threat.

Beware.

[tlcandie]

4. Is this why the American people have no clue about this regime?

7000 hours?!?!?! Tvvvvvvvvvvvvv zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz OMG!!!! :wow:

[Blue Gardener]

5. Cold Case?

What on earth is wrong with that show? I love it, and usually wind up with a tear in my eye at the end. If they don't like what's on CBS then they can turn the station to PAX. Idiot fundies can never understand such a simple concept. They just don't need to worry about what I want to watch on TV.

[NashVegas]

6. Just In Case

If anyone knows any liberal enterpreneurs who've ever considered going into broadcasting ownership, now is a good time.

If all this ranting and raving does have any effect - I doubt it but ya never know - the recent FCC retooling allowing networks to have increased ownership and relaxing media cross-ownership could help allow for even fewer viewpoints to be aired if these people are successful in getting anyone's license yanked.

[annabanana]

7. FCC cheif is Colin Powell spawn...........

They will only contest the licenses of Networks that refuse to knuckle under to the administration's demands

(no tin foil here)
:tinfoilhat:

[mrbill]

8. red flag on this play................

and when the evil doers whine and get the tv liscenses they will give the frequencies to 'religious' broadcasters.

the world needs a lot more tv seed-selling preacher assholes with their tax exemptions.

snake oil religion is slowly taking over the 'public' airways.