Articles by Jonathan Lawson
Media Politics
Many rural areas making digital TV switch early
Submitted by jonathan on Fri, 2009-02-13 09:09Jonathan Lawson, Daily Yonder
Last week Congress voted to delay the upcoming digital TV transition date until June 12. The decision was provoked by the fact that an estimated 20 million Americans remain unprepared to lose access to over-the-air TV broadcasts. Over three million are currently on a waiting list to receive $40 coupons intended to defray the cost of buying DTV converter boxes for old TVs. Funds for the government coupon program effectively ran out in January, and have not yet been replenished.
Delaying the switch until June 12 should mean a sigh of relief for these unprepared viewers. Turns out, not so much, at least for those living in rural areas and small cities.
Congress left a loophole in the date change, allowing local stations the option to turn off their analog signals as early as Feb. 17 if they chose. And across the country, many stations serving rural areas are deciding to do just that.
Read more.Reclaim the Media praises DTV transition delay
Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 2009-02-04 14:35Reclaim the Media
Today, local media justice organization Reclaim the Media praised Congress' decision to delay the nation's shift to digital television. Today's vote by the House of Representatives delays the DTV transition, originally scheduled for Feb. 17, until June 12. By that date, television stations across the country will turn off their analog signals and continue broadcasting only in digital.
"Delaying the switch was the only way to avoid leaving tens of thousands of Seattle-area viewers in the dark," said RTM executive director Jonathan Lawson. "Congress still needs to provide additional funding for the coupon program, and for public education. As in much of the country, Seattle viewers are not yet ready to lose analog TV."
Read more.DTV transition likely to be delayed to June 12
Submitted by jonathan on Tue, 2009-01-27 08:48Reclaim the Media
One day after the Senate voted unanimously to delay the digital TV transition date until June 12, House Energy and Commerce Committee chair Henry Waxman has signalled that the House is likely to follow suit as early as today. Waxman's statement: "I am pleased that the Senate has acted to delay the deadline, which is our only hope of mitigating the negative impact on millions of consumers. In light of the Senate action, I will work with the House Democratic Leadership to bring up the Senate bill for consideration Tuesday."
The delay will probably pave the way for replenished funds for the NTIA's troubled DTV converter box coupon program. The waiting list for coupons now stands at over 3 million, and consumers are reporting long delays between ordering and receiving the coupons. The government may also provide additional funding for education and outreach related to the switch to digital TV.
Read more.Seattle Mayor, City Council urge retailers to provide options for a no-cost DTV conversion
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2009-01-22 16:47Reclaim the Media
Two weeks after a federal Digital TV coupon program effectively ran out of cash, elected officials in Seattle are asking retailers to do their part to help local consumers prepare for the upcoming Digital TV transition (currently scheduled for Feb. 17). Mayor Greg Nickels wrote to local electronics retailers asking them to carry DTV converter boxes at the low cost of $40-$45 (view letter here). All nine members of the City Council have following up with a similar letter.
Read more.Local Community Radio Act will increase local voices, choices
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2008-09-25 05:08Jonathan Lawson
This fall, Congress has the opportunity to expand local radio choices for people in cities and towns across America by passing a single, bipartisan piece of legislation. The Local Community Radio Act will allow hundreds more small noncommercial stations to fill vacant spaces on the radio dial — increasing local voices and music choices.
Read more.House, Senate launch crusade against media consolidation
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2008-03-13 18:20Summary:
In the House of Representatives, a bipartisan coalition led by Rep. Jay Inslee has filed a measure that would void the controversial media ownership rules pushed through the FCC by Chairman Kevin Martin last December. The Resolution of Disapproval comes on the heels of a similar resolution filed the previous week by a bipartisan group of Senators including Maria Cantwell, Byron Dorgan, Ted Stevens, Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and Olympia Snowe.
Read more.Missing voices at the Seattle FCC Hearing
Submitted by jonathan on Sun, 2007-11-11 22:13Jonathan Lawson, Reclaim the Media
[comment at the Nov 9 Seattle FCC Hearing on media ownership]
As Commissioner Copps noted, if there had been respectful noice for this hearing, many more would have turned out tonight. No one can speak for these missing voices. But I will use my time tonight to say at least something about our friends and neighbors who the FCC will not hear from this evening.
If the FCC strikes down the cross-ownership ban, people living in small or medium-sized cities in our region are especially likely to see reduction in the quality and quantity of local news coverage. Northwest rural folks deserve the chance to discuss such concerns with the FCC. So do African-Americans, Latinos and other minority communities, who own few media outlets, and whose voices are severely underrepresented in civic dialogue as a result.
Read more.The broadcasting industry's weak arguments on ownership
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2007-11-08 12:10Ignoring Cantwell and Inslee, FCC rushes to conclude nationwide ownership debate in Seattle
Submitted by jonathan on Sun, 2007-11-04 17:26Summary:
FCC to Conclude Nationwide Public Debate on Media Ownership in Seattle
Chairman ignores request from Cantwell/Inslee, provides just five business days' notice
Read more.