NAB & NPR Oppose FCC Proposed Localism Efforts

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Federal Communications Commission

The FCC is proposing changes aimed at encouraging radio outlets to focus more on local programming by altering licensing and application processes in favor of stations that offer a Commission-approved quota of local content. This move has sparked controversy and attracted criticism, particularly from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and National Public Radio (NPR), both of which have advised against proceeding with the plan.

Under the FCC's proposed changes, radio stations that allocate a minimum of three hours per week to locally produced content would receive preferential treatment in licensing and application matters. This initiative is designed to promote local journalism and programming but has led to a heated debate about its likely effectiveness and impact.

The NAB has expressed strong opposition, arguing that the FCC's proposal misunderstands the economic and competitive factors that influence broadcasters' decisions regarding programming. The NAB believes that the proposal will not encourage the provision of more local journalism or locally originated programming. They point out the challenges associated with producing local content, such as high costs and reduced advertising revenue due to competition from digital media. The NAB suggests that the FCC should focus on policies that enhance broadcasters' ability to invest in and compete with local content, rather than complicating the application review process.

Similarly, NPR acknowledges the importance of enhancing local journalism but is concerned that the FCC's proposal does little to support public radio stations, which play a crucial role in delivering local content, especially in rural and underserved areas. NPR advocates for the development of more targeted incentives and the reduction of regulatory burdens to better promote local content production by public radio licensees.

However, organizations like musicFIRST and Future of Music have expressed their support for the FCC's proposal, viewing it as a positive step toward increasing local engagement and programming. Although there are concerns, such as those from the Educational Media Foundation, about potential penalties for stations failing to meet local programming criteria, supporters see the proposal as a simple way to ensure a basic level of local programming commitment.