Broadcasting (Apr - June 1960)

GOVERNMENT ' ^ FREE TIME FOR CAMPAIGNS CERTAIN But will it be voluntary or imposed by federal legislation? An autumn of free campaign telecasts appears assured but a Senate Commerce subcommittee must decide whether it should — • Accept free offers of prime evening time from the networks for appearances by major candidates for the presidency, or • Approve a bill (S-3171) to seize eight hours of prime time from the three networks for the use of candidates. The free-time offers were submitted last week by the three tv network presidents during their testimony against passage of the bill. As hearings were concluded May 19, there were indications the industry witnesses had made a good impression with strong arguments against federal capture of time segments and their campaign program formulas. But there remained subcommittee sentiment in favor of federal control of campaign telecasts based, for example, on the fact that the three networks differed on how the time would be utilized. Network executives, however, felt they could get together on a solution, just as they have previously agreed in similar situations. The Specifics ■ Here is what the networks proposed in their free-time offers: NBC-TV — Eight one-hour Meet the Press broadcasts in prime Saturday evening time, six to include appearances by Democratic and Republican nominees. CBS-TV — Eight exclusive one-hour telecasts in prime time for debates and discussions. ABC-TV — Each major network to offer three best time periods with largest audiences on rotating basis for nine weeks for use by two major candidates (consent of Dept, of Justice and FCC, and waiver of Sec. 315 required). The FCC acted quickly to a subcommittee suggestion that it find out the plans and policies of broadcasters for the autumn campaign, sending out a questionnaire May 19 (see story page 78). Politicians Testify ■ A number of individuals prominent in public life submitted statements on the bill. They included Adlai Stevenson, Democratic candidate in 1952 and 1956; Paul M. Butler, Democratic national chairman; Ex-President Herbert Hoover, Thomas E. Dewey, former Republican candidate, and Vice President Richard Nixon. NBC and CBS submitted briefs contesting constitutionality of the legislation. Whitney North Seymour, president-elect of the American Bar Assn., argued on behalf of NAB that the bill raised grave constitutional questions (see statements and briefs, page 76). The spectre of Sec. 315 of the Communications Act was raised by all witnesses, with industry testimony taking the position Sec. 315 would confine network programs to news-type format unless the section is suspended. The three networks showed willingness to get together on voluntary allocation of time for the campaign, with the Dept, of Justice and FCC looking on. And all called for some form of relief from Sec. 315 during the fall political campaign. A provision of the bill limiting free time to parties that had at least 4% of votes in the last presidential election drew industry criticism because it could bar major third-party candidates from participation. Dr. Frank Stanton, president of CBS Inc., was the first network president to offer free time. He proposed an hour of prime evening time each week for debates and discussions by presidential candidates so television can “play a more effective role in contributing to an informed and active democracy.” Amend Sec. 315 ■ The CBS offer was contingent on amendment of Sec. 315 to exempt debates and panel discussions. Affiliates have agreed almost unani 'Give us a chance' ■ Frank Stanton, CBS Inc. president, told Senate subcommittee networks will do a good job during campaign by programming politics voluntarily. Unsound and unfair ■ David C. Adams, NBC senior executive vice president, pointed out how Senate bill singles out tv among media for seizure of facilities. 72 BROADCASTING, May 23, 1960