Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1963)

Late news breaks on this page and on page 10 ft Complete coverage of week begins on page 31 f\ \ NAB backs news freedom from advertisers JOINT BOARD ADOPTS PRINCIPLE AS MEETING CLOSES NAB Joint Board of Directors, at closing session in Phoenix Friday, approved resolution 'endorsing principle that news, public affairs and information programs should "be kept free from sponsor control and influence, direct or indirect" and that they should be "the sole responsibility of the broadcaster." Without mentioning developments following Howard K. Smith program on ABC-TV and subsequent withdrawal from network of advertisers who objected to appearance of Alger Hiss, action was described as "resolution of principle" which reiterated existing recognized practice. Board approved record budget of nearly $2 million on recommendation of its finance committees (see page 31). This is exclusive of approximately $500,000 realized by Television Information Office, which operates apart from but under aegis of NAB. Board commended its freedom of information committee and endorsed plan for meeting of all news media with Pierre Salinger, presidential news secretary, and other government officials on equal access to news, which White House secretary said would be arranged at NAB's request. Other media, initially reluctant to participate, were reported now ready. Establishment of new legislative liaison committee was approved to assist NAB government relations staff in advisory capacity. Group will work through Paul Comstock, recently appointed vice president for government operations (see story page 34). Appointment of special committee to pass on building plans for new NAB headquarters was authorized by board. New association home will be constructed on recently-acquired lot adjacent to present building in Washington. Fall Conferences ■ Board approved present format of NAB fall conferences, to run IV2 days, preferably in metropolitan areas. Staff was authorized to arrange programs, dates and locations. Joint body approved report by Carleton D. Brown, WTVL Waterville, Me., chairman of membership committee, for establishment of 51 -member (one from each state and Puerto Rico) liaison committee to ride herd on membership. Everett E. Revercomb was unanimously re-elected secretary-treasurer of NAB. Resolution commending Commission er T. A. M. Craven, who retires from FCC Jan. 31, for his long and distinguished service in government, was approved. Judge Otis Dunagan, who presided at recent Billie Sol Estes trial in Texas and permitted live pickups from his court room by radio-tv, was applauded by board for his "forthright statements" in defense of equal access. NAB governing body concluded its session by giving standing applause to Joint Board Chairman Clair R. McCollough, president of Steinman stations, who concludes his second two-year term and, under existing bylaws, is not eligible for re-election. Forty-one of NAB's 43 directors attended week-long session in Phoenix. Absentees because of illness were Harold Essex, WSJS Winston-Salem, and Julian F. Haas, KAGH Crossett, Ark. Before final joint board session Friday, radio board adopted recommendation of code review board approving budget of $30,000 to double current monitoring activity, including log analysis, for member stations. Spot checks will be made periodically for NAB members which, together with analysis of logs voluntarily submitted, would indicate to stations whether they are keeping within commercial limitations of radio code. Filings oppose plan for data inspection FCC-proposed rule to require licensees to maintain records of applications and other documents for public inspection netted over 30 comments at Friday (Jan. 18) deadline (see story, page 62). NAB called rule unnecessary and said public has no real interest in noting applications. Five state associations of broadcasters — Pennsylvania, North Car Return bout Firm date has finally been set for Richard M. Nixon's longtouted first post-election guest shot on NBC-TV's Jack Paar Show (Fri., 10-11 p.m. EST). It's March 8 and will mark his first tv appearance since his fiery valedictory to politics after losing California governorship race last November. olina, Maine, Ohio, and Virginia — charged it would foster abuse of commission processes by persons not having legitimate interests and place more burdens on stations, particularly small ones. CBS told commission rule is too extensive, more than the general public interest warrants. Definite stipulation should be made that rule does not mean stations have to keep library of applications by other outlets owned by same licensee. Fisher, Wayland, Duvall & Southmayd, Washington law firm, agreed that rule is too extensive, said that station would have more than 25 documents to keep on file. Home Entertainment files for stock sale Home Entertainment Co. of America Inc., planning to wire up Santa Monica, Calif., for subscription tv (Broadcasting, Dec. 10, 1962), has filed registration with Securities & Exchange Commission to sell $2.3 million of stock to public. Home Entertainment plans to offer 23,000, five-year, common stock purchase warrants (at $10 per share) in parent company, and 230,000 shares of common in subsidiary, Home Entertainment of Los Angeles Inc. SEC announcement indicates that after sale of new securities, Home Entertainment of America will own 23.3% of Los Angeles subsidiary, and that public will own remainder, 76.7%. Public will have paid $10 per share, or $2.3 million, for this ownership. Parent company already has advanced Los Angeles unit $75,915, paying $1.08 per share. Philco ch. 3 dropout agreeable to bureau FCC's Broadcast Bureau has recommended approval of NBC-Philco request for withdrawal of Philco's application for ch. 3 in Philadelphia. But bureau is against any payment by NBC as reimbursement for Philco's expenses in prosecuting that application. Bureau said "serious doubts" about Philco's good faith in prosecuting application and "lack of showing" public interest would be served require disapproval of payment. Two parties had sought payment of up to $550,000 by NBC to Philco (Broadcasting, Jan. 14). Staff says it can't believe that settlement reached in court case (Broadcasting, Jan. 7) "was not in any sense i more AT DEADLINE page 10 BROADCASTING, January 21, 1963 9