Adopted: May 1, 2008 Released: May 1, 2008
By the Assistant Chief, Policy Division, Media Bureau:
1. In this Order, we grant in part a petition for declaratory ruling filed by the Christian Broadcast Network, Inc.
(“CBN”), producer of a 60-minute television program entitled
“The 700 Club.” This program airs weekdays on 100 television stations in the United States, as well as on the
ABC Family
cable network,
FamilyNet, and
Trinity Broadcasting Network.1. In its petition, CBN asks the Commission to declare that the subject program qualifies in its entirety as a bona fide newscast within the meaning of Section 315(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), 47 U.S.C. § 315(a), or, in the alternative, that the news segments aired on “The 700 Club” qualify as bona fide newscasts and the news interview segments qualify as bona fide news interviews pursuant to Section 315(a).
2 . For the reasons set forth below, we conclude that the newscast and news interview segments of “The 700 Club” qualify for the bona fide newscast and news interview exemptions under Section 315(a), respectively, and that these segments conducted on the program are exempt from equal opportunities....
(click here, to read the document)
So you kin click raht ther on the pitchur to find out a lil bit more about yer bona fide newzcaster/interviewer, thet the FCC sez is a bona fide news program exempt from the equal opportunities rule.
( Exempt from the equal opportunities clause????? )"The FCC also ruled Friday that the news segments and interviews on Christian Broadcasting Network's 700 Club -- which airs on TV stations as well as ABC Family -- are also a bona fide news program exempt from the equal opportunities rule.
That show is hosted by Pat Robertson, himself once a presidential candidate.
But the commission stopped short of declaring the entire program exempt. CBN had asked that the whole show be exempt, but absent that, it wanted the interviews and news segments to get the exemption. The FCC chose the latter."
I know I've seen the Pentagon pundits on those gasbag Christofascist interviews. I need to go throw up.
AlsoThe Federal Communications Commission is requiring Sprint, the nation's third-largest wireless carrier, to clear certain channels by June 26, a move designed to eliminate radio interference with thousands of public safety agencies across the country. The company would essentially swap spectrum with the public safety agencies...
...
The deadline was set three years ago in an initial order....
...Sprint, which said the FCC's new position was unreasonable, claimed if regulators enforce the deadline it would cripple the network....
...The court said if Sprint vacates those channels then it's likely it will immediately reduce radio interference that public safety agencies have experienced....
...expects the FCC will extend the deadline by at least another six months.
