Regulatory overkill

The arrogance and disconnect of the federal bureaucracy never cease to amaze. Proving that Washington's regulatory and political classes see no limit to their meddlesome powers, the Federal Communications Commission has proposed sweeping, costly new mandates in an attempt to make TV and radio stations better reflect what government functionaries believe are the needs and values of their communities.

Under the rules, stations would have to consult with community advisory boards in creating programming; meet a minimum number of hours of "local" programming; rely on "local" talent; and actually move their main stations if they're deemed too far away from the areas covered by their broadcast licenses.

Yes, the FCC really believes that printing hundreds of pages of new federal standards and issuing federal programming quotas will improve local control.

What spurred the FCC to spend years and millions of tax dollars drafting these regulations? Public hearings were held in Portland, Maine; Rapid City, S.D.; Charlotte, N.C.; San Antonio; Monterey, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. A handful of citizens and activists griped that radio and TV stations had too much national programming and not enough shows dedicated to local issues.

Voila! A new set of injunctions that applies to everyone from Key West, Fla., to King County, Wash.

"Programming for the public interest has been sacrificed to the god of commercialism without any balance whatsoever," said Jerold Starr, executive director of the Citizens for Independent Public Broadcasting.

Radio and TV stations stay in business by attracting the widest audiences possible. If no one watches or listens, programs are canceled and formats are changed. It's a ferociously competitive industry that constantly adjusts to the demographic shifts in every market. Meeting the demands of local communities is the core business of broadcasting.

Yet the FCC now wants stations to spend millions of dollars on new staff and new studios and get the authorization of busybodies such as Mr. Starr before putting any shows on the air? Instead of meeting "community needs," these regulations will cut stations' on-air hours and put smaller outlets out of business. How is that in the "public interest"?

"It is horrendous, horrendous legislation," said Bob Fisher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nevada Broadcasters Association.

In the age of the Internet and e-mail, local and national television and radio programs are more responsive than ever. Gone are the days when redialing call-in lines and office extensions were the only way for viewers and listeners to be heard. Now they can send messages from their cell phones about their favorite -- or least favorite -- programs. It doesn't get more "local" than that.

The FCC will accept comments on this proposal until June 11, after which commissioners will vote on the rules. Citizens can read the regulations and offer their opinions at www.fcc.gov/localism. The public should go online and tell the FCC to scrap this heavy-handed intervention and let issues of localism be decided by the marketplace.