NAB boss: ‘Why doesn’t cable have indecency rules?’
Steve Safran October 5th, 2006
Once again, rather than fighting the heavy-handed indecency regulations that stifle the broadcast industry, the NAB is using the “But they’re doing it too!” strategy. NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr told reporters Wednesday “Why is it that cable doesn’t have indecency rules? Because the courts say they are a subscription service… but I know in my area and maybe in your area, cable uses free marketing and free subscriptions as a way to gain customers.” Mr. Rehr: It’s not that cable occasionally offers freebies. It’s that cable is a subscription service people choose that does not use public airwaves. Fight the FCC, don’t ask them for more regulations.
16 Comments Add your own
1. Terry Heaton | October 5th, 2006 at 7:28 am
What a remarkably foolish strategy.
2. Jeff V | October 5th, 2006 at 7:53 am
Isn’t the NAB, along with the UAW, & other representatives of the “working class” quickly becoming obsolete in their ways? They’re just not quick enough on their feet in responding to new challenges - and when they do respond, it’s usually with a 20th century, “time-tested” strategy that is simply wrong.
There will always be a need for one-voice organizations on big issues, but in a world where individualism and customization rules, those organizations really need to get on the ball and probe its members just to see what stance it wants to take.
3. JIB | October 5th, 2006 at 8:06 am
Oh my gosh, Safran and I finally agree.
First of all, forget the subscription service argument for just a minute. As readers of this site will attest, I have argued that the public interest standard (enforced by the FCC and implemented by Congress) guides the government and the courts as to how much regulation should exist. The legal reasoning by SCOTUS’s decision to demand some decency standards was the idea of the public airwaves. It is our natural resource that is protected–SPECTRUM.
Now, NAB will argue that cablers get rights-of-ways and other government freebies. But they spend millions on infrasctrured and MSO’s already give up some of their space to local governments. Just wait a few years when broadcasters are forced to give up “some” of their digitial spectrum for a few hours of airtime. Lawyers get ready…
David K. Rehr is no Eddie Fritts and he should be cognizant of one thing–If Eddie could not make this argument fly, David will be laughed out of this town.
4. Anonymous | October 5th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
In an ideal world, perhaps, broadcast and cable would be subject to the same content rules - no rules. But the broadcast airwaves are a scarce resource owned by the public, which creates an unequal playing field. Given that there’s zero chance of broadcasters getting the same regulation-free deal that cablers enjoy, they are left with the inevitable argument they are currently making, unappealing though it may be to 99% of the folks who frequent this blog.
5. ashley | October 6th, 2006 at 12:31 am
This strategy wont work they need to come out and just sugggest a new strategy and law that allows them able to compete and not just allow them to do the same as cable.
6. Safran | October 6th, 2006 at 7:43 am
I now believe Mr. Rehr is kidding. I think someone is just daring him to say these things. Nobody could mean this. He’s a comic genius.
7. Anonymous | October 7th, 2006 at 11:49 am
Broadcasters are bound by rules enacted during the Great Depression. Cable is not. With the multitude of voices on the internet, why should broadcasters be limited as to the number of stations they own? And in this internet age, why should government limit what content broadcasters can air? Let the marketplace decide.
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