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May 25, 2012

PBS chief says that new FCC fines will put stations in danger

by Joel Keller, posted Jul 27th 2006 3:51PM

PBS logoAt the TCA press tour yesterday (or what was left of it; many critics had already left), PBS president Paula Kerger told critics that the new FCC regulations regarding fines might imperil the existence of many of the network stations. Remember, public television stations are always hanging on by the skins of their teeth through federal funding and viewer donations, and the ten-fold increase in fines, from $32,500 to $325,000 per incident, might bankrupt these stations if they aren't careful.

Combine the increased fine amount with the FCC's hazy guidelines, says Kerger, and viewers may find that there will be a lot less worthwhile programming on public television. "This is about filmmakers that have powerful stories that now are not being allowed to tell those s tories on public television or broadcast television," she told the critics.

Of course, that would stink; as much as people may make fun of PBS, it's a great resource for people who can't find worthwhile shows dealing with education, news, science, and crown molding (hey, I've been watching This Old House for over 20 years). Yes, there are plenty of shows like this on cable now, but the PBS shows tend to be of higher quality, and it would be a shame if there was no outlet for them. And all because the FCC's motto has become "We'll do the parenting for you!" Sigh.

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ErricZ

Too bad no one votes for the Head of The FCC ... isn't that an "appointed" position? Maybe in the case of Bush/Martin/Copps it's "Anointed".

Sad day when the morality police are back in full force -- didn't we ban Ed Meese and crew in the 80s?

July 28 2006 at 5:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doc

The other problem with the 'make sure your programming follows the rules' idea is that there isn't an actual list of rules available. There is a general idea of what the rules might be, but at the end of the day the FCC can apply the fines, or not, on their whim. Short of making everything G-rated pablum to quell the nutter groups that do the lions share of the protesting there is no way for writers/producers/stations to know for sure that their content isn't going to get them fined.

The better solution is to let people vote with their wallets and their eyeballs. When the public at large doesn't approve of programming they will stop watching and market forces will force the change in programming. Letting the government determine what is decent and what isn't is the first slip down a slippery slope.

July 27 2006 at 6:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Akbar Fazil

gt, do you honestly think that PBS would EVER get any of that fine money?

July 27 2006 at 5:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gt

"Remember, public television stations are always hanging on by the skins of their teeth through federal funding and viewer donations, and the ten-fold increase in fines, from $32,500 to $325,000 per incident, might bankrupt these stations if they aren't careful."

um, that extra 300k in federal funds from the fines could go toward supporting stations like pbs, they're shooting themselves in the foot.
it isnt too difficult - make sure your programming follows the rules, aka hire one guy to watch each program and say yes or no.

July 27 2006 at 5:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Akbar Fazil

The FCC needs to get out of the morality business right now.

July 27 2006 at 4:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Samual Icky

I don't make all that much money... yet every year I donate an entire pay check to PBS... I'm not a hard core viewer but PBS needs support and they do produce quality shows.

So the little bit I do send off to PBS does sting a little... its almost as much as my yearly cable (& internet) bill.

July 27 2006 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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