Ten Policy Debates Shaping Journalism Right Now
The wide-ranging debates and policy proceedings happening in DC right now regarding the future of media could have an enormous impact on journalism in America. Here’s a rundown of the key debates that will shape journalism in the coming years.
Journalism
- Federal Communications Commission’s initiative on the “Future of Media and Information Needs of Communities in a Digital Age”: This is a wide-ranging investigation into the media needs of communities and a possible role for government in helping to meet those needs. The investigation will culminate in a report and recommendations for the FCC, Congress and other federal agencies on how to update and change the laws that shape our media. The deadline for participation is May 7. Find out more here: http://www.freepress.net/fccfutureofmedia
- Federal Trade Commission’s investigation, “How Will Journalism Survive the Internet Age”: This is another big picture exploration of the role of government in responding to the challenges facing journalism, although its focus is on traditional FTC issues like copyright, antitrust and advertising. The final result will be a report. To date, the commission has held two workshops. Find out more: http://www.ftc.gov/opp/workshops/news/index.shtml
- The Newspaper Revitalization Act: Introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in the Senate and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) in the House, this bill would allow metro-daily newspapers to convert to nonprofit status. Both bills have some key flaws that would limit their scope and impact, but they have sparked important debates on the Hill. Sen. Cardin’s staff has signaled an interest in revising the bill. At the moment, both versions of the bill are sitting in committee. Find out more: http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1937&Itemid=61 and http://cardin.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=310392
- The Shield Law: While there has been enormous progress made on the federal shield law, the debate still rages on. Sticking points include how best to define who receives the protections of the bill (i.e., who is a journalist) and how to balance national security with protections for journalists and their sources. Find out more: http://rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?op=keyword&key=62 or http://www.spj.org/shieldlaw.asp
Media Ownership and Consolidation
- FCC Quadrennial Media Ownership Review: Earlier this year, the FCC began its mandatory quarterly review of media ownership laws. Just as it was getting started, the D.C. Circuit Court lifted the stay that had been in place on rule changes that date back to 2007. The decision means that the Bush administration’s relaxation of the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule is now in effect. The FCC has the opportunity to reverse the court’s decision in its review. Find out more: http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/corporate_power/consolidation/court_lifts_stay_media_ownersh2312
- Comcast/NBC Merger: Cable and Internet giant Comcast is preparing to take over NBC Universal, one of the nation’s largest production studios and newsrooms. Comcast already reaches close to 24 million homes in 39 states in the United States. Through this merger, Comcast would acquire NBC’s movie studios, broadcast networks, cable networks, a huge stake in the online video service Hulu.com, as well as 26 local broadcast stations that reach nearly one-third of U.S. households. Congress has held four hearings on the proposed merger, which is under investigation by the Department of Justice and the FCC. Find out more: http://www.freepress.net/comcast
Broadband and Internet Policy
- The National Broadband Plan: In March, the FCC unveiled its plan to connect the entire nation to high-speed Internet. Roughly 30 percent of the U.S. population is stuck on dial-up or has no access at all. As more news and information moves online only and new online news organizations emerge, the future of the Internet is increasingly intertwined with the future of journalism. Find out more: http://www.broadband.gov/plan/
- Net Neutrality: Net Neutrality is the founding principle of the Internet. It’s the idea that Internet providers can’t discriminate between different kinds of content and applications..Several companies have been caught meddling with users’ communications for political or anti-competitive reasons. Net Neutrality is our guarantee of free speech online, and will be vital to ensuring a level playing field for new voices and new models of journalism in the future. The FCC is considering enacting formal rules to protect Net Neutrality, but a recent court decision questioned the agency’s jurisdiction over the Internet. Find out more here: http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/10/04/07/appeals-court-ruling-endangers-fccs-ability-protect-online-speech
Community Media
- The Local Community Radio Act: This bill, which has passed the House and is close to passage in the Senate, would allow for the creation of hundreds and possibly thousands of new Low Power FM radio stations around the country. This could be a huge boon to local news efforts, giving emerging nonprofit news operations another platform to distribute content. Find out more: http://www.freepress.net/lpfm
- Community Access Preservation Act of 2009: Introduced in the House, the CAP Act is designed to address a number of issues facing public, educational and government (PEG) channels. Across the country, PEG stations have suffered attacks from cable and phone companies that want to skirt their responsibility to support these vital community news and information centers. For more info: http://www.freepress.net/peg
Save the News in New Jersey-Pubcaster NJN & It's News in Danger
It has been proposed by Governor Christie that New Jersey Network, NJ's state operated public broadcaster, have it's state funding cut and be privatized.
NJN is the only broadcaster that provides daily reporting on NJ on a statewide basis. The proposed cut in funding would devastate news coverage at a time when the only other source of NJ news, our newspapers, are in rapid decline. The privatization (switch from the state holding the FCC licenses to a community licensee) will ultimately create pressure to merge NJN with NYC or Philly broadcasters (we lack any other broadcasters in NJ) which will further endanger NJ news.
We'd love the support of Save the News in our fight to save NJN and New Jersey news.
Dudley Burdge
PS. Here is a more detailed piece I wrote for a NJ blog, Blue Jersey.
Can NJN and NJ News Survive Twin Threats?
by: cwadudley
Thu Apr 08, 2010 at 01:11:48 AM EDT
Promoted by Jason Springer
Governor Christie proposal to cut funding to New Jersey Network while privatizing it would devastate coverage of New Jersey news and public affairs. NJN is the only broadcaster to provide comprehensive coverage of New Jersey news with its nightly news program.
While the amount of the cut in state funding for NJN is modest ($2 to $9 million) compared to the overall budget cuts, it will be a crippling blow to news coverage. Taken together with the downsizing of other New Jersey news sources -- closing of the New York Times Trenton bureau, the layoff of half the Star-ledger reporting staff in October 2008, similar layoffs at papers throughout the state - the last thing New Jersey needs is to lose another state news source.
While the state currently provides funding for only about 40% of NJN's expenses, other major sources of funding for public broadcasters like corporate underwriting and membership are reeling from the recession. Taken together with years of cuts to NJN's state funding, NJN has an on-going structural deficit.
NJN's role in providing New Jersey cultural, minority and historical programming is also threatened as well as its function as the New Jersey provider of emergency broadcast services.
Why a state operated TV network?
In his budget speech, Governor Christie asked why the state operates a television network. The reason is simply and clear -- because no one else would. NJN, formally the New Jersey Public Broadcast Authority, was only formed after repeated failed attempts to get commercial broadcasters to cover New Jersey affairs. Even though many commercial stations are technically licensed in NJ, the lure of the huge NYC and Philly markets meant they became NYC or Philly stations with only occasional NJ stories. Unlike New York and Philly no non-profit stepped forward to operate a public television network in New Jersey.
Faced with this situation, the legislature established NJN to fill the void. New Jersey joined twenty other states including Maryland and Rhode Island that operate public broadcasting networks. In still other states, the public university operates the public broadcasting network. Most states have some type of public broadcast networks.
Many of the states that operate broadcast networks are classic red states like Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Alabama. Why have conservative, Republican states opted for the state solution for public broadcasting? Simply because they, like New Jersey, had to -- commercial broadcasters provided inadequate coverage and no well-heeled non-profit operator appeared to provide the service. These networks have also become the obvious choices to provide emergency broadcast systems.
Would a non-profit NJN work today?
The union represented staff at NJN are dedicated to providing New Jersey based broadcasting. They overwhelmingly oppose any takeover of NJN by a non-profit operator (privatization.)
They oppose privatization for two related reasons. NJN's broadcast licenses, towers, studios and equipment are a major asset worth several hundreds of millions of dollars that the state should not give away. Secondly, retention of the broadcast licenses by the state is the only way to insure that coverage of New Jersey news, culture, history and public affairs continue.
The formation of a non-profit operator of NJN especially in these hard times will inevitably lead to pressure to merge services and operations with NYC and/or Philly broadcasters that ultimately will endanger New Jersey content. This is illustrated by the decision last August by WHYY, the Philly pubcaster, to end it's nightly news show that covered Delaware affairs.
Like New Jersey, Delaware lacks local television coverage and WHYY, whose license is formally assigned to Wilmington, provided that coverage for many years. But when the layoffs and funding cuts that have hit public broadcasting nationally hit WHYY, it pulled the plug on Delaware news in favor or Philly based coverage.
How Can NJN Survive in the 21st Century?
Staff at NJN through their union, the Communications Workers of America, have identified a plan for NJN's survival in the 21st Century.
Changes are needed at NJN to address fundamental problems. Funding for NJ affairs is inadequate and uncertain, procurement of equipment byzantine, and hiring is difficult.
NJN needs to be nimbler in its business and production operations.
Two big changes are needed.
There must be a dedicated, on-going source of funding for NJN that is not dependent on annual appropriations. This funding source is needed regardless of whether NJN continues as a state agency or moves towards another model.
The structure of NJN within the state umbrella must be changed. A New Jersey Public Media Corporation
should be formed so that NJN can be more autonomous in equipment procurement, leasing its assets, hiring staff, and providing a form of organization that will be more donor friendly.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority which is known as a well run organization with appropriated checks and balances is a model for NJN.
Act to protect New Jersey news and democracy
It's important that people who believe that news about public affairs is imperative for democracy to function contact the legislators who will decide the fate of NJN and New Jersey news and public affairs programming.
Reform of and dedicated funding for NJN has not been a priority. In this time of crisis it must and can become a priority if we demand it of our representatives.
Dudley Burdge
is employed by CWA Local 1032 and represents NJN staff
NJ is a vital case
Thanks Dudley,
You definitely have our support. I have spent a lot of time looking at the news and broadcasting situation in NJ. NJ is stuck inbetween two major media markets - Philly and NY - and doesn't have one major commercial broadcaster that serves the citizens of NJ well. Sen. Lautenberg worked with the FCC to hold a hearing on WWOR on just this issue.
That is why public broadcasters like NJN are so important. Keep us in the loop and let us know how we can help.
Best,
Josh