NAB Ex Parte Filing Targets Ownership, Diversity

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

NAB submitted an ex parte filing Thursday with the FCC regarding a meeting on Wednesday (10-28) in which NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith, NAB Joint Board Chairman Steve Newberry and NAB Executive VP Jane Mago met with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and members of his staff.

During the meeting, Senator Smith emphasized NAB's long-standing position in support of modest media ownership reform and that the FCC's ownership rules should enable broadcasters to hold reasonable combinations of media properties so that they can continue to provide programming to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Smith also emphasized the important role that broadcasters play in local markets.

In addition, Senator Smith expressed the view that the best way to have greater diversity of ownership was to improve access to capital. NAB has also long-supported the reinstatement of the minority tax certificate program, which was eliminated by Congress in the mid-90s. When in effect, the tax certificate program provided tax deferrals on capital gains earned through the sale of media properties to a minority buyer.