A number of watchdogs have had a thing or two to say about the FCC's activity last week on EAS, cable/telco MVPD competition and DTV tuner requirements. On the MVPD front, which is in part concerned with local franchising authorities making sure that there are no unreasonable barriers to new competitive entrants, the National League of Cities says they're all for competition and warns the FCC not to do any unauthorized tramping on its turf. Watchdog Competitive Enterprise Institute thinks LFAs will slow things down and wants their influence restricted if not eliminated. As for EAS, a group of watchdogs which had petitioned the FCC to make sure that disabled and non-English-speaking individuals were included in emergency warnings was pleased to see just that issue addresses in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The National Association of Broadcasters, which wants to make sure television remains available in its free, over-the-air format, was pleased to see the DTV tuner deadlines accelerated.
On MVPD competition and local franchising authorities:
* "FCC staff have assured NLC that this Notice does not indicate any decision on their part that action in the video franchise area is necessary at this time. We note that the FCC has tentatively concluded that local governments are specifically authorized to impose build-out requirements, prohibit redlining, and secure public access channels. Nonetheless, because Congress has granted the FCC only minimal authority to influence local franchises, we view with concern any future FCC action to limit local involvement beyond its statutory authority. Local elected leaders will continue to participate actively in the national debate regarding video competition to ensure they remain able to protect the interests of local citizens." - - Arvada, CO Mayor Ken Fellman, Chairman, National League of Cities' Information Technology and Communications Policy and Advocacy Committee
* "One of the many sticking points for advanced communications deployment in the past has been the interference of cities and localities. Indeed, in today's communications landscape dominated by large, national companies, localities are able to exert powerful influence over national policy. Our country's federalist arrangement serves us well as a nation when states compete against each other. Income taxes and corporate law are examples of areas where states effectively compete. However, the federalism arrangement tends to break down in industries dominated by large, national networks. CEI looks forward to commenting on the proposed rulemaking." - - Braden Cox, Technology Counsel, Competitive Enterprise Institute
On EAS
* "The FCC today has taken a step toward ensuring that all Americans, regardless of the languages they speak, will be informed whenever a weather, health or terrorist emergency strikes." - - Former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani, Managing Director of the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc., on behalf of a coalition also including Independent Spanish Broadcasters Association and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council
On the DTV tuner deadline
* "We're pleased that Chairman Martin and his colleagues have established an even more aggressive timeline for DTV tuner compliance in smaller television sets. This pro-consumer action sends the unmistakable signal to set manufactures that further delays in rolling out DTV receiving equipment are unacceptable." - - NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts