Broadcasting (Apr - June 1960)

have, during the hearing, committed themselves to such an offer. If they don’t, he said, “then we urge the immediate passage” of the bill. Nominees, Mr. Butler stated, should meet any extra expenses of recording for tv presentation in other time zones where simultaneous broadcast is impossible. If networks and affiliates fail to respond. Congress has the duty to enact a bill to guarantee tv exposure of the major presidential nominees and their beliefs, he said. lack F. Christie tv-radio director of the Democratic committee, said some candidates have become disgusted with appearing on exempted panel shows because the interrogators determine what shall be discussed. He said his party would prefer simulcast exposure of candidates by the networks. He said no decision has been made as to format of programs for which time will be purchased. He thought a halfhour weekly for each candidate would be enough. Oklahoma Broadcasters Assn, opposed the bill in a telegram to the subcommittee. “This makes no sense to us,” the association said in a message from Tom lohnson, KTOK Oklahoma City, OBA president. The bill was described as “confiscatory, discriminatory and probably unconstitutional.” TOMMY ARMOUR GOLF TIPS STILL AVAILABLE Five taped bits of wisdom from the dour Scott each week for thirteen weeks starting June 13th. Best you contact: DON LASSER WICH NORWICH, CONN. (We may even accept collect phone calls) '"Already sold in 75 markets TV’S POLITICAL POLICIES? FCC sends questionnaires to find answers It’s questionnaire time at the FCC again — only now it concerns politics, not payola. The commission made public May 19, the questionnaire it is sending to all tv stations inquiring into their general policy “with respect to political broadcasts and ... to the forthcoming . . . election campaign.” The text was released only three days after FCC Chairman Frederick Ford’s testimony before the Senate Communications Subcommittee (see page 72). The subcommittee had requested the FCC obtain information from the tv licensees as to the manner in which they “were carrying out their obligation to serve the public interest in the area of political broadcasting.” The commission clearly states in the questionnaire’s preamble that it is seeking “specific information” on how tv stations “actually handle requests for political broadcast time.” There are two parts to the questionnaire, the first dealing with general policies with respect to political broadcasts, and the second with station policies in the forthcoming election campaign. General Policy ■ Under the general policy heading, stations are asked whether they provide free time to politicians, on local, state and/or national level. Also, the FCC wants to know whether stations “impose any general limitations” as to length or frequency of programs or spots on behalf of a political candidate, or to the hours in a broadcast day made available to him. If free time is provided, the commission asks whether it is for spots, programs or both. In connection with station policy for the coming presidential election, the FCC is primarily interested with the problem of clearing time for political broadcasts. The commission asks licensees to describe “present or proposed policy with respect to clearing time for sales” of broadcasts by presidential candidates from either network or non-network sources. In a related question, licensees are queried on proposed policy regarding time-clearing for sustaining programs “offered either by the network ... or by non-network sources.” Deadline for replying to the questionnaire is June 6. The complete text of the questionnaire follows: For your guidance in responding to the questionnaire, you are advised that it is not necessarily required that licensees have adopted a formal written policy statement with regard to the matters set forth below. What the commission is seeking is specific information as to the manner in which television stations actually handle requests for political broadcast time. Reply must be submitted by officer or person authorized by licensee. A. General Policy With Respect to Political Broadcasts 1. State whether it is your policy (a) to sell time, (b) make time available without charge, (c) both. 2. Does your policy as set forth in reply to question 1 differ with respect to broadcasts by or on behalf of candidates for (a) local, (b) state, or (c) national officers? If yes, please explain. 3. State whether it is your policy to sell time or provide time without charge for (a) programs, (b) spot announcements, (c) both. 4. Do you impose any general limitations with respect to the length and frequency of a program or spot announcement by or on behalf of a particular candidate? If yes, please explain. 5. Do you impose any general limitations with respect to the hours during the broadcast day in which you sell or make time available without charge for political broadcasts? If yes, please explain. B. Political Broadcast With Respect to Forthcoming Election Campaign (September-November 1960) 1. In connection with broadcasts by or on behalf of candidates for President and Vice President, describe your present or proposed policy with respect to clearing time for sales of such programs made either by the network with which you are affiliated or by non-network sources. 2. In this same connection, describe your present or proposed policy with respect to clearing time for sustaining programs offered either by the network with which you are affiliated or by non-network sources. (If your answers to the above questions require On the bench ■ Sen. A. S. Mike Monroney, as temporary chairman presiding at the Senate Communications Subcommittee free time hearing, asked the FCC to query stations on their political plans. The commission did. 78 (GOVERNMENT) BROADCASTING, May 23, 1960