http://www.simpleprop.com/2009/02/17/today-was-the-day/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:16:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.simpleprop.com/2009/02/17/today-was-the-day/comment-page-1/#comment-16059 anderswa Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:37:53 +0000 http://www.simpleprop.com/?p=825#comment-16059 actually, broadcast television is viewed as a publicly-owned natural resource. broadcasters apply to the FCC for the "rights" to a particular frequency; in turn, they give the FCC the rights to regulate its content. (janet jackson, anyone?) up until reagan, there was a requirement that broadcast tv subscribe to a fairness doctrine that ensured both sides of any controversial issues were represented fairly. (FOX News, anyone?) <br> wow, i actually used something i learned in college today. can i go home now? actually, broadcast television is viewed as a publicly-owned natural resource. broadcasters apply to the FCC for the “rights” to a particular frequency; in turn, they give the FCC the rights to regulate its content. (janet jackson, anyone?) up until reagan, there was a requirement that broadcast tv subscribe to a fairness doctrine that ensured both sides of any controversial issues were represented fairly. (FOX News, anyone?)

wow, i actually used something i learned in college today. can i go home now?

]]> http://www.simpleprop.com/2009/02/17/today-was-the-day/comment-page-1/#comment-16032 wadE Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:01:42 +0000 http://www.simpleprop.com/?p=825#comment-16032 I don't know if there's been a court ruling on this, but I believe television is *not* an inalienable right. And to answer your last question... nothing. A network can start and stop broadcasting at will. However, if they do choose to broadcast, the government does put some regulations on them. But that's a different story. However, even if television was a "right", can we realistically wait until every single person has their converter box purchased, connected, and tested before making the switch? This pandering to the lowest common denomenator in our society is pathetic. I don’t know if there’s been a court ruling on this, but I believe television is *not* an inalienable right. And to answer your last question… nothing. A network can start and stop broadcasting at will. However, if they do choose to broadcast, the government does put some regulations on them. But that’s a different story.
However, even if television was a “right”, can we realistically wait until every single person has their converter box purchased, connected, and tested before making the switch? This pandering to the lowest common denomenator in our society is pathetic.

]]> http://www.simpleprop.com/2009/02/17/today-was-the-day/comment-page-1/#comment-16018 alex Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:59:33 +0000 http://www.simpleprop.com/?p=825#comment-16018 Here's the question: Is television a right, or is it a privilege? If we as US Citizens have a right to free television broadcasts, and the coupons and/or the program in general aren't ready, then postponing the cutoff date makes some sense. There are still rural areas of the country where you can't get cable, and the cost of a satellite package isn't for everyone. If television is a privilege, what's to stop a network from deciding not to broadcast over the air at all? Here’s the question: Is television a right, or is it a privilege? If we as US Citizens have a right to free television broadcasts, and the coupons and/or the program in general aren’t ready, then postponing the cutoff date makes some sense. There are still rural areas of the country where you can’t get cable, and the cost of a satellite package isn’t for everyone. If television is a privilege, what’s to stop a network from deciding not to broadcast over the air at all?

]]>