Senators and congresspeople doing the bidding of NAB in trying to limit Sirius and XM?
Radio and Records included two related pieces Wednesday regarding a proposed U.S. Senate bill (there's a similar one in the U.S. House), the "Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2006," which would place new restrictions on Sirius and XM.
According to Radio and Records, the bill "includes language requiring the FCC to rule within 270 days if subscription radio providers Sirius and XM are permitted to offer locally oriented services on nationally distributed channels."
I find it odd that, according to one of the pieces, "Other parts of the Senate bill are clearly designed to protect AM and FM broadcasters from alternative sources for local information."
Why is it necessary to PROTECT one source of information from alternative sources of information? Wouldn't it be better either to do nothing or to do things ensuring a free flow of information and/or enabling alternative sources of information?
Could it be because powerful lobbyists are telling their servants on Capitol Hill what legislation to pass?
Do we have the best senators and representatives money can BUY?
Also, FWIW, my immediate (knee-jerk?) reaction to the apparent attitude of NAB President/CEO David Rehr towards Sirius and XM was to appraise it as, "Kick 'em when they're down."
Or are these points of view too skeptical or cynical?
Anyone have similar perspectives? Any alternate points of view? How do folks feel about this?
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2006_03_15/senatorsintroduce.asp
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2006_03_15/nabapplauds.asp
Radio and Records included two related pieces Wednesday regarding a proposed U.S. Senate bill (there's a similar one in the U.S. House), the "Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2006," which would place new restrictions on Sirius and XM.
According to Radio and Records, the bill "includes language requiring the FCC to rule within 270 days if subscription radio providers Sirius and XM are permitted to offer locally oriented services on nationally distributed channels."
I find it odd that, according to one of the pieces, "Other parts of the Senate bill are clearly designed to protect AM and FM broadcasters from alternative sources for local information."
Why is it necessary to PROTECT one source of information from alternative sources of information? Wouldn't it be better either to do nothing or to do things ensuring a free flow of information and/or enabling alternative sources of information?
Could it be because powerful lobbyists are telling their servants on Capitol Hill what legislation to pass?
Do we have the best senators and representatives money can BUY?
Also, FWIW, my immediate (knee-jerk?) reaction to the apparent attitude of NAB President/CEO David Rehr towards Sirius and XM was to appraise it as, "Kick 'em when they're down."
Or are these points of view too skeptical or cynical?
Anyone have similar perspectives? Any alternate points of view? How do folks feel about this?
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2006_03_15/senatorsintroduce.asp
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2006_03_15/nabapplauds.asp