Transition to digital must protect interests of American public

[Rose Siding]

By Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.)

The U.S. broadcast television industry is on the brink of a historic shift from the old analog world to the brave new world of digital technology. The new technology could potentially open the door to a richer and broader variety of telecommunications services for all Americans. When the transition to digital television (DTV) is completed, each station will be able to split its signal into a maximum of six separate broadcast channels.
....
A report, “Broken Promises: How Digital Broadcasters are Failing to Serve the Public Interest,” has documented broadcasters’ failure to air an acceptable amount of public-interest and local programming. It examined more than 20,000 hours of programming offered by 91 digital commercial broadcasters in 16 media markets. Among the findings of the report, released by the Campaign Legal Center:

• A meager 0.3 percent of digital programming focused on local public affairs, compared to 8.8 percent for reality shows and 6.9 percent for paid programming.

• Celebrity shows, such as “Access Hollywood,” outweigh local programming by more than eight times.

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102005/sswatson.html

The Hill has a feature today-

"SPECIAL REPORT:
Telecommunications"

It's an array of pieces, written by members of Congress, covering everything from...

Addressing the need for media ownership reform
By Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.)
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102005/sshinchey.html

and...

Providing broadband and choice to people all across America
By Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102005/ssrockefeller.html

to...

Deregulate now :eyes:
By Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.)
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/102005/sssununu.html

and more...

(scroll to bottom right)
http://www.hillnews.com/