FCC Chairman Kevin Martin gathered reporters for his latest preview of an upcoming FCC meeting, in keeping with his policy of going the extra mile to run the Commission in an open and transparent manner.
Agenda items of interest to broadcasters on the Thursday 9/25/08 get-together include an item on allowing AM stations to use FM translators to fill in gaps in their signals, and to use new sophisticated computer models instead of field measurements to make sure their antennae are operating properly.
Martin said he has also asked for action on about 60 long pending Media Bureau items, including transactions, requests for reconsideration and changes to the allotment tables, which he’s hoping to get done in advance of the meeting on circulation. And keep your eyes peeled for something on this down the road: Martin mentioned the possibility in the future of a proceeding to award licenses for LPFM stations.
Martin underscored that the FCC’s localism proceeding has nothing whatsoever with reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, an action to which he is totally opposed.
