NBC changes schedule to accomodate President

WBIR ^ | 6/28/05

[sheltonmac]

Despite the so-called "liberal bias" in the media, the fact is the networks are in Washington's hip pocket.

[in hoc signo vinces]

Ahhhh...yeah...the democrats in "washington" pocket, that is.

[Drago]

"So why is it everyone gets upset that NBC is slow in making a decision on showing the speech, but Fox, which gets higher ratings than NBC and is licensed under the same rules, gets a free pass on leaving it up to the affiliates?"

Because people associate Fox Broadcasting with Fox news??? (Murdock owns both) Not sure why people would do that. My opinion on this one: let the local affiliates make the call...only the East coast ones have to break away from regular network programming, the rest are just airing syndicated stuff or local news anyway.

[billbears]

How about some examples from Abe Lincoln then?

If I were you I'd go back and check history for his relations with the media. He shut down hundreds of northern newspapers for daring to question the party line. Nope that wouldn't be in your favor

General Washington?

Well....

Despite their sometimes caustic nature, from the early cartoon portraying George Washington as an ass down to the present day, graphic depictions and satirical cartoons have played a prominent role in public and political debate.

Hustler v. Falwell--Rehnquist opinion

Seems ignoring political leaders, and even ridiculing when necessary, has been around for some time.

[GoBucks2002]

Wish I could take credit for that, but it was forwarded to me from someone else, the author is probably 6 degrees separated from me, though.

[GoBucks2002]

Thanks, but it was forwarded to me from someone else, the author is probably 6 degrees separated from me.

[McGavin999]

As long as they are using the public airways at no cost to them they should carry it when the President wants to address the nation. Especially when we are at war.

Besides, NBC wouldn't do well under the Taliban.

[billbears]

No cost to them? What do you think it costs to run each and every television station? A handful of rubles?

Especially when we are at war.

Oh yeah, right, war. I forgot that's what they're calling it. Considering the WOST could continue for decades I suppose we need to just turn over the airwaves as a whole to the government as they know what's best for us to watch. Of course as long as it's run by Republicans right?

[ValenB4]

The speech was a total non-event. Nothing new. Same cliches. It will be completely forgotten in a day.

[clawrence3]

Nothing new? He finally came out and called a spade "a spade" - we are fighting terrorists in Iraq rather than here (whether we created them or not). Also, the "www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil" and request for recruits was news to me - have your heard him bring either of those up before?

[McGavin999]

Well, I'll tell you what, let's give those free air bands to someone else and see just how successful those networks are. It really doesn't matter how much they spend on other things, without the airways they have nothing. Let's start charging for them.

[ValenB4]

Nothing new, exactly. What he said will not change a thing in Iraq. And that website will not make a difference. When a patient has terminal cancer, giving him a lollipop will not help. That website is a lollipop.

[billbears]

Let's start charging for them.

They already do, through licensing fees. But I think you're more for advocating a station that would bow to the government anytime some political hack (with the right letter by their name of course) needs airtime to blow more sunshine up our collective @ss.

[McGavin999]

No, I'm advocating for a network with responsibilities. Let's yank those free airwaves from them and let them compete in the market. Then they can do anything they want with their time. We could probably raise some serious funds from that, a yearly rental rate would be appropriate.

Since the networks have decided not to be good citizens, let's let them just be private enterprises and pay their own way.

[billbears]

Let's yank those free airwaves from them and let them compete in the market. Then they can do anything they want with their time. We could probably raise some serious funds from that, a yearly rental rate would be appropriate.

?!? In case you didn't notice that's what I've been advocating. Instead of pressure from a government source for free non advertising dollars airtime, allow the station to do what it chooses

Since the networks have decided not to be good citizens, let's let them just be private enterprises and pay their own way.

Um, they already are and do. Well except when a political hack comes along demanding airtime to blow smoke

[McGavin999]

So, you don't think public airways should be used to address the nation? Is that it?

Great, we're in agreement then, let's auction off the bands the networks have been using.

[billbears]

So, you don't think public airways should be used to address the nation? Is that it?

Not unless politicians plan to pay the networks for the time they have taken away from the network's capitalist ventures

Great, we're in agreement then, let's auction off the bands the networks have been using.

They already have through FCC licensing. But if you want be my guest. Go buy a television station and use the airwaves

[McGavin999]

The licensing fee is for the local affiliates, not the networks. The local affiliates can receive from anyone. ABC, CBS and NBC have no special rights to those bands, they were given out with the understanding that they would carry out certain public services (including news programs, public service announcements, and presidential addresses). If they don't want to fulfill those duties, fine, then let them go the pay TV way same as the cable and satellite channels. Or, we can auction those bands off to someone who would be willing to uphold their public responsibilities in exchange for use of the public airways.

If they actually had to compete, they would be out of business in no time at all and we all know it.

[clawrence3]

It seems that the substance of the speech is off-topic to "FCC Control of Airwaves" so we will simply have to agree to disagree whether "What he said will not change a thing in Iraq [or] that website will not make a difference."