Television Impact Impact Regulation Regulation Ownership Ownership Content Content

Impact Almost destroyed radio Almost destroyed radio Changed magazines – fiction virtually disappears Changed magazines – fiction virtually disappears Film – theaters closed, B movies declined Film – theaters closed, B movies declined Newspapers – are continuing to decline after TV Newspapers – are continuing to decline after TV

Regulation Broadcast media are the most regulated Broadcast media are the most regulated Radio and TV are the most regulated Radio and TV are the most regulated Began with radio – too many overlapping signals Began with radio – too many overlapping signals What is the frequency (91.9 for example) of your favorite radio station? What is the frequency (91.9 for example) of your favorite radio station? Suppose another station broadcast on that frequency or close to it? Suppose another station broadcast on that frequency or close to it? What’s to stop a station from picking any old frequency even if it causes interference? What’s to stop a station from picking any old frequency even if it causes interference?

How Regulation Came About 1912 – Titanic Sank. Besides too few lifeboats, radio operators on nearby ships were off duty – Titanic Sank. Besides too few lifeboats, radio operators on nearby ships were off duty. Spawned the RADIO ACT OF Established basic rules for radio transmission – especially ship to shore– and established the Federal Radio Commission. Spawned the RADIO ACT OF Established basic rules for radio transmission – especially ship to shore– and established the Federal Radio Commission. Then radio as an entertainment/informational medium was invented – KDKA Nov 2, Then radio as an entertainment/informational medium was invented – KDKA Nov 2, 1920.

Three Big Events In Broadcast Regulation Radio Act of 1912 Radio Act of 1912 Radio Act of 1927 Radio Act of 1927 Communications Act of 1934 Communications Act of 1934

Tinkering With Regulation The Reagan era ended many kinds of regulation. The Reagan era ended many kinds of regulation. Church groups blocked some regulations. Church groups blocked some regulations. In 1996, regulations were adjusted to adapt to the growth of cable – a major issue since cable is not broadcast, therefore has more freedom. In 1996, regulations were adjusted to adapt to the growth of cable – a major issue since cable is not broadcast, therefore has more freedom.

Chaos “Cochannel interference became so bad that the listener might suppose instead of a receiving set (a radio) he had a peanut roaster with assorted whistles. “Cochannel interference became so bad that the listener might suppose instead of a receiving set (a radio) he had a peanut roaster with assorted whistles. Literal chaos made broadcasting irrelevant. Two many stations were too close or overlapping on the dial and no one could hear any of them clearly. Literal chaos made broadcasting irrelevant. Two many stations were too close or overlapping on the dial and no one could hear any of them clearly.

Regulation to the Rescue The Radio Act of 1927 – the FRC (Federal Radio Commission) was given authority to monitor broadcast radio stations. The Radio Act of 1927 – the FRC (Federal Radio Commission) was given authority to monitor broadcast radio stations. FRC was given the power to grant and deny licenses. FRC was given the power to grant and deny licenses. Regulated content of broadcast. Regulated content of broadcast. Here a choice was made – broadcasting could be operated by the government or could be a free market system. Regulation was a compromise. Here a choice was made – broadcasting could be operated by the government or could be a free market system. Regulation was a compromise. Great Britain chose government broadcasting (The BBC –British Broadcasting Corporation) Great Britain chose government broadcasting (The BBC –British Broadcasting Corporation)

More Power To Regulators The Communications Act of 1934 pulled together a variety of functions under one commission: telegraph, telephone, radio. The Communications Act of 1934 pulled together a variety of functions under one commission: telegraph, telephone, radio. The Federal Radio Commission became the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. The Federal Radio Commission became the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. Broadcasters were required by statute to operate in the INTEREST, CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY OF THE PUBLIC. Broadcasters were required by statute to operate in the INTEREST, CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY OF THE PUBLIC.

Examples of Regulations The Fairness Doctrine The Fairness Doctrine The Equal Time Provision The Equal Time Provision Limits on Advertising Limits on Advertising Regulated oversight to prevent broadcast of profanity, obscenity and other “harmful” acts. Regulated oversight to prevent broadcast of profanity, obscenity and other “harmful” acts. The FCC had the power to revoke broadcast licenses and issue fines. The FCC had the power to revoke broadcast licenses and issue fines.

The Seven Words “There are some people that aren't into all the words. There are some people who would have you not use certain words. Yeah, there are 400,000 words in the English language, and there are seven of them that you can't say on television. What a ratio that is. 399,993 to seven. They must really be bad. They'd have to be outrageous, to be separated from a group that large. All of you over here, you seven. Bad words. That's what they told us they were, remember? 'That's a bad word.' 'Awwww.' There are no bad words. Bad thoughts. Bad Intentions.” George Carlin “There are some people that aren't into all the words. There are some people who would have you not use certain words. Yeah, there are 400,000 words in the English language, and there are seven of them that you can't say on television. What a ratio that is. 399,993 to seven. They must really be bad. They'd have to be outrageous, to be separated from a group that large. All of you over here, you seven. Bad words. That's what they told us they were, remember? 'That's a bad word.' 'Awwww.' There are no bad words. Bad thoughts. Bad Intentions.” George Carlin

Howard Stern