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eBook details

• Title: Minow's Viewers: Understanding the Response to the "Vast Wasteland" Address (Newton N. Minow)
• Author : Federal Communications Law Journal
• Release Date : January 01, 2003
• Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
• Pages : * pages
• Size : 269 KB

Description

On May 9, 1961, Newton N. Minow, the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission"), gave what is probably the most famous speech ever delivered by the head of an American regulatory agency. It remains the single most searing indictment of television. Before the National Association of Broadcasters ("NAB"), Minow challenged his listeners to watch television all day, something he had made himself do one Saturday before coming to Washington. "I can assure you that you will observe a vast wasteland." (1) More than a harsh criticism of television programming, the speech carried the promise of change. Minow reminded his listeners, most of whom operated broadcast stations, that the FCC had the authority to make them alter their programming practices. "[T]he people own the air," he remarked. "For every hour that the people give you, you owe them something. I intend to see that your debt is paid with service." (2) This would not involve censoring specific programs. Minow pledged "no suppression of programming which does not meet with bureaucratic tastes." (3) Rather, the chairman cited the Commission's traditional, if listlessly enforced, policy that stations, when seeking the renewal of their licenses, document their record of public-service programming. "[M]any people feel that in the past licenses were often renewed pro forma. I say to you now: renewal will not be pro forma in the future. There is nothing permanent or sacred about a broadcast license." (4)

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