NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

Radio stations outside the disaster zone are asked by the guide to check with local chapters before broadcasting information on how relatives and friends can obtain information from the disaster area. A letter from NAB President Justin Miller, which is being mailed with the guide says that NAB officials “heartily endorse this new Red Cross guide and be¬ lieve it will provide every station with a helpful device to achieve greater local public service.” Educational Standards Group in Meeting Representatives of educational institutions and the broadcasting industry concluded Wednesday (4) a two-day meeting devoted to discussing methods of further raising standards of professional training for persons entering the broadcasting field. Educators present were Professor Ben Hennecke, University of Tulsa; R. Russell Porter, Coordinator of Radio, University of Denver ; Thomas D. Rishworth, Director — Radio House, University of Texas; and Dr. Kenneth Bartlett, University of Syracuse. The broadcasting industry was represented by the Educational Standards Committee of the National As¬ sociation of Broadcasters and members of the NAB staff. Committee members are Ralph Hardy, KSL, Salt Lake City, chairman; Judith C. Waller, Director of Public Service, Central Division, National Broad¬ casting Company, Chicago; Dr. Willis Dunbar, Pro¬ gram Director, WKZO, Kalamazoo; F. C. Sowell, Gen¬ eral Manager, WLAC, Nashville; Armand Hunter, Educational Director, WEIL, Philadelphia; and Hazel Kenyon Markel, Education Chairman, A.W.B., WTOP, Washington. One member of the committee, E. R. Vadeboncoeur, WSYR, Syracuse, was unable to attend. Plans considered, which will be presented to the NAB Board of Directors for approval, contemplate courses of advanced study for “in service” personnel in addition to regular under-graduate training. Spe¬ cial clinics and refresher courses were recom.mended for persons now actively engaged in broadcasting. Legal Department FCC Policy on Reservations in Transfers Of Licenses May Be Written into Rules Commission policy prohibiting transfer of licenses with strings attached, previously reflected only in individual decisions, will be written formally into the FCC’s rules and regulations if a proposed new rule announced Friday (6) is adopted. Specifically, the new rule would outlaw reserva¬ tions of “the right to the use of radio time on the station being sold” and options to recover the license at a later date. In addition, it would pertain to “other rights which under the Communications Act can be exercised only by the licensees.” Provision is made in the new proposal for continu¬ ance of arrangements of this nature which were made Advance "Freedom Train" Schedule The “Freedom Train” today has an open date at Harlingen, Tex. During the week of March 1, the train will be completely overhauled and repainted at San Bernardino, Calif., and will not be exhibiting during that week. All later dates until June 16 will be deferred one week. “in good faith at a time when Commission policy with respect to such matters was not clear.” Approval of such previously approved transfei's de¬ pends, however, upon modification of such contracts to comply with these provisions of the proposed new rule : (1) A maximum limitation of the time subject to reservation so that no more than 12 hours per week shall be subject to reservation, of which no more than 4 hours shall be on any given day. (2) A clause providing that the licensee I'eserves the right to reject or refuse pi'ograms which he reasonably believes to be unsatisfactory or un¬ suitable or for which, in his opinion, a program of outstanding local or national importance should be substituted, but provision may be made for the sub¬ stitution of other radio time for programs so re¬ jected or for the payment at the station card rate for the time made unavailable. ( 3 ) A prohibition against the resale or reassign¬ ment of any of the broadcast time reserved by such modified contract. ( 4 ) An express negation of any right with re¬ spect to reversion or reassignment of license. ( 5 ) An express provision giving to the licensee the right at any time to terminate the contract, arrangement or understanding at his own discre¬ tion upon the payment of a lump sum or periodic payments; but any such payment should not be so unduly large as to constitute in practice an effec¬ tive deterrent to the licensee exercising the right. In determining whether the payment is unduly large the Commission will consider the amount by which the consideration in return for the transfer of the station was decreased by reason of the reserva¬ tion of time or the present value of the radio time still reserved and unused as of the date of the exercise of the option. These modifications would be required within six months after final adoption of the new rule. Opposition to the proposal, which applies to AM, EM, and TV, may be 'filed with the Commission in written form on or before March 8. FCC Alters Rule on Application Changes A final order providing that a broadcast applica¬ tion may not be amended after a pi’oposed decision in the case has been issued was adopted by the FCC last Thursday (5). “In certain instances,” the Commission stated, the new rule will apply where “a recommended or initial decision” has been made public. (Continued on next page) FEBRUARY 9, 1948-103