Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

2— TlfHYJfON DIGEST JULY 15, 1963 Rogers regards FCC Chmn. Henry as key witness because Commission has "crux of the resp>onsibility." FCC is expected to endorse fully its 1949 editorializing report encouraging on-air stands, including endorsing or opposing candidates. It's understood Commission will state that editorials indicate a station's involvement in community interests & needs, help supplement dwindling number of newspaper voices. It also believes that "fairness doctrine" is practical & sound, is observed by most stations. Commission is expected to recommend issuance of primer on fairness requirements, which could take form of rule-making. This would help spell out station responsibilities for itself & public. FCC also would like to learn more about fairness observance, through in-depth examination at renewal time on random basis. On Moss's bill, FCC is understood to favor essence of equal opportunities but doesn't think legislation is necessary. It believes it can better handle matters by setting policy and judging problems on caseby-case basis. It also believes HR-7072 ignores fairness questions concerning general handling of controversies. ’ Here's list of scheduled witnesses: Mon. — Reps. Van Deerlin (D-Cal.), Hall (R-Mo.), Hemphill <S Dom (D-S.C.); Sherwood Gordon, radio KSDO San Diego; Tue. — Henry; Wed. — Dan Kops (WAVZ New Haven) os chmn., NAB editorializing committee; Robert Hurleigh, Mutual pres.; Thur. — Frank Stanton, CBS pres.; Don McGannon, Group W pres.; Fri. — Theodore Shaker, ABC-owned TV stations pres.; Harold Neal, ABC-owned radio stations pres. Rogers also plans hearings in Aug., if more licensees want to testify. NBC isn't testifying, may send statement. Although it believes in station editorializing, its owned stations haven't done any yet. CBS-owned & most of ABC-owned stations do it. Group W stations ore also very active editorialists on local & state issues only. Group believes that station management should do it, that it should be kept separate from news dept. CBS is only TV network to editorialize. Stanton has done it 3 times: Oct. 15, 1950, color TV; Aug. 26, 1954, broadcast access to legislative hearings; July 26, 1959, supporting modification of equal time Sec. 315 of Communications Act. Mutual editorializes twice daily, carried by about 100 of its nearly-500 affiliates. When Kops testifies for NAB, he will unveil revised edition of "Editorializing on the Air." It's divided into 2 main sections — guidelines & NAB interpretation of policy, covering what a station can & can't do in political editorials. NAB may have Pres. Collins testify next month, after his return from Europe. COMMERCIAL CEILING BATTLE QUICKENS: Industry's stepped-up campaign against FCC's proposed limitations on commercials became more vigorous last week. NAB, under plan conceived by Pres. Collins, sent battle ammunition to all stations in form of arguments challenging Commission. In covering letter dictated from London, Collins urged stations to discuss issue with Senators, Congressmen, civic & business leaders. NAB is seeking groundswell of opinion against proposed ceilings, hoping to convince FCC of "futility" & "inutility" of plan, as it was put by Paul Comstock, NAB govt. vp. State assns. are getting into picture, too. Georgia broadcasters come to Washington to meet with Congressional delegation. They sparked interest of Rep. Weltner (D), who said he'd submit bill to block FCC. He didn't like proposed draft submitted by Washington attorney, beheving it went too far. Weltner told us he plans to submit his own bill in a few weeks. He believes FCC should be "restrained" from placing limitations on commercials. However, he does think extent of commercialization is a legitimate issue for FCC to consider in granting licenses & renewals. "We ore working on the proper language that would accomplish both these objectives," he said. Senate action also is being sought All but 3 of Georgia Congressional delegation attended, including Sens. Russell <S Tolmadge. In addition to Weltner, Reps. Flynt (D) & Stephens GD) were also described as strong supporters of anti-limitations stand. NAB has been very active in Congressional liaison, but doesn't believe that first step is introduction of bills. Among arguments against ceiling forwarded last week for broadcaster use, ore these: (1) It's contrary to intent of Congress, would lead ultimately to govt, rate regulation. (2) Rule would be unequal & unfair because station & market situations vary greatly. (3) It would destroy free enterprise in broadcasting & cause great economic harm, especially to small-market stations. (4) Undermine volvmtary Codes.