Broadcasters Slam Rumored Pick to Head Digital TV Panel

Squaring off against the computer industry and one of television’s most legendary critics, TV broadcasters told the Clinton administration they will oppose any White House effort to appoint computer executives or former regulator Newton Minow to a blue-ribbon panel that will recommend what public service rules should be imposed on operators of digital TV stations.

The presidential panel is expected to play a key role in developing public service rules that will be imposed by the Federal Communications Commission on digital TV broadcasters as they receive licenses. The FCC approved a digital TV licensing plan for the nation’s 1,600 TV broadcasters but delayed action on the public service rules.

In a letter to Vice President Al Gore, National Assn. of Broadcasters President Edward O Fritts said that while the group supports consideration of a broad cross-section of candidates, “we will protest vigorously the inclusion of computer industry representatives and other outright competitors on such a body.”

Broadcasters and the computer industry have been at odds over technology standards for digital TV.

Fritts also said he was concerned about rumored consideration of Minow, a Democrat and former FCC chairman who 36 years ago in a speech to the broadcast industry called TV programming “a vast wasteland.”

“It would be an abuse of process if [Minow] were to assume chairmanship of a supposedly impartial commission,” the letter states.

Over the next nine years, the industry will begin a transition to the digital technology, which promises to deliver more channels, sharper pictures, clearer sound and in some cases wide-screen, cinema-quality high-definition TV to consumers who buy special digital sets.

Public interest advocates have called on the FCC to require broadcasters to air more children’s programming, ban commercials for liquor and give political candidates free air time on the new digital channels.

The White House has been seeking candidates to serve on the 15-member panel since April 9, but has not indicated who is under consideration. However, it has been widely rumored that Minow would chair the group.