E-News for GA Broadcasters

March 5, 2004 From The Georgia Association of Broadcasters Edition 4.3.5

KATHY RAMSEY, EXEC. VP, NAB PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTS ON: HOUSE PANEL APPROVES INDECENCY LEGISLATION See memo below: Broadcaster Alert - March 3

Attached is the most recent version of the Public Inspection File Advisory for commercial radio and television stations. It now contains information on the public file as it relates to DTV stations. See attached: March001.pdf

From Bill Sanders, GAB President Emeritus: "My family's gratitude goes out to the many GAB stations who sent memorial contributions to my mother's church following her recent death. Your gesture was both heart-warming and thoughtful. It reminds me again of the many friends I made during my 28 years at GAB. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

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BROADCASTER UPDATE
TO: NAB TELEVISION AND RADIO MEMBERS

FROM: KATHY RAMSEY, EXEC. VP, NAB PUBLIC AFFAIRS
JOHN ORLANDO, EXEC. VP, NAB GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
DATE: March 3, 2004

HOUSE PANEL APPROVES INDECENCY LEGISLATION

Today, the House Commerce Committee marked-up H.R. 3717, the "Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2000." During the mark-up, legislators approved an "amendment in the nature of a substitute," replacing the original bill with a measure that had been developed to address several Members' concerns. The subcommittee rejected several secondary amendments to the legislation and passed the bill by a vote of 49 - 1.

As passed out of Committee, the legislation would increase the maximum fines for indecency violations to $500,000 per violation. The manager's amendment also requires the FCC to examine "culpability" factors such as whether the offending programming was live or recorded and factors affecting the violator's ability to pay such as the size of the company and the market served. The legislation also includes a "three strikes and you are off" measure that would mandate license revocation hearings following a third offense.

NAB does not support this bill. We continue to believe that voluntary self-policing by broadcasters is preferable to greater regulation. The House is expected to move quickly on H.R. 3717. The legislation will likely be sent to the House floor for consideration as early as next week.

We will keep you informed as this issue moves forward. Should you have any questions, contact NAB at 1-800-424-8806.

GA Association of Broadcasters, 8010 Roswell Road, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30350

Phone: (770) 395-7200 Fax: (770) 395-7235; E-mail Editor, Stephanie Beck, becks@gab.org

Website: www.gab.org