Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1963)

Record Details:

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posed to the positions expressed during the civil rights march." The problem posed for kbat did not involve a specific program. Rather, the citizens association ticked off a number of issues in which it is "vitally interested," such as United Nations, states' rights, and federal aid, then made its request for transcripts of "all proposed programs dealing with such subjects and an opportunity for free and equal time to answer." W. R. McKinsey, general manager of the station, in his reply, said that compliance with such a request would not only be "utterly impracticable, but I do not feel this was the intent of the Communications Act, nor subsequent interpretations of that Act by the commission." Quotes Commission ■ Mr. McKinsey recalled that the commission, in discussing fairness doctrine questions, told two Alabama stations (Broadcasting, Sept. 23) that licensees have 'considerable discretion as to the techniques or formats to be employed and the spokesmen for each point of view. . . . " 'Thus, with the exception of the broadcast of personal attack.' " Mr. McKinsey said, quoting the commission, 'there is no single group or person entitled as a matter of right to present a viewpoint differing from that previously expressed on the station.' " 'Where the licensee has achieved a balanced presentation of contrasting views, either by affording time to a particular group or person of its own choice or through its own programing, the licensee's obligations under the fairness doctrine — to inform the public — will have been met.' " Mr. McKinsey went on to note that the commission's July 26 statement on the fairness doctrine has been modified to indicate that stations carrying controversial programs need not provide time for reply to "all" groups. As it now reads, the statement requires that time must be offered spokesmen for "other" groups for the expression of "contrasting viewpoints." And kbat, Mr. McKinsey said, has "always presented . . . what it feels to be a fair and unbiased reporting of public affairs. We feel this responsibility to our listeners, not only as a mandate set down by Section 315 of the Communications Act but as responsible broadcasters in the free enterprise system." Commission's Reply ■ The commission late last week assured kbat its interpretation of the fairness doctrine was correct. In a letter to Mr. McKinsey, it said, "the commission has carefully reviewed the correspondence you have furnished and it appears that your understanding of the discretion and judg ment properly to be exercised by the licensee as recognized and affirmed by the fairness doctrine is correct." Mr. McKinsey's letter hasn't answered all questions that have been raised by the fairness doctrine and the July 26 statement "clarifying" it. Lee Ruwitch, past president of the Florida Association of Broadcasters, for instance, complained last week that the statement is discouraging broadcasters from editorializing. Mr. Ruwitch, in a letter to the FCC, specifically mentioned the requirement that stations commenting on an issue in a political campaign send copies of the pertinent continuity to all candidates with an offer of time for reply. He said this requirement would frighten broadcasters into taking the easy way out — that is, abstain from all comment during an election. FCC officials said this is one of a number of questions concerning the fairness doctrine that will be covered in a primer now being prepared. Officials hope the primer, which would attempt to "clarify" the doctrine, will be released by January, before the 1964 political campaigns get into full swing. 3 Southern stations bypass 'East Side' A dramatic offering on CBS-TV's new series, East Side! West Side (Monday 10-11 p.m. EST), that dealt with a Negro couple's problems in a Harlem slum and featured Negro stars (except for cast regular George C. Scott who plays a social worker) was cleared for telecast on Nov. 4 by about 132 stations, but was not shown by three other affiliates. Ironically, CBS-TV officials acknowledged last week, the program series of late has been subject of a concentrated and successful effort to obtain additional station clearances in key markets across the country. It was reported that three stations in the South did not clear the program, entitled "Who Do You Kill?," that was previewed for affiliates on Oct. 31. The stations: wtok-tv Meridian, Miss; waga-tv Atlanta, and ksla-tv Shreveport, La. Wtok-tv later explained that the Monday night time was utilized for election eve broadcasts that had been ordered a month before. It pointed out the pre-emptions also blacked out such other Monday regulars as Danny Thomas, Andy Griffith and To Tell The Truth. Waga-tv said that its decision was made after careful consideration, and it was determined that the telecast would "impair the excellent progress" already made in the area of race relations. Ksla-tv explained that its decision BROADCASTING, November 11, 1963