Draft Main Studio Rule Order Unlikely to Get Full Support From FCC Democrats
Democratic FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel are seen as unlikely to fully support a draft order that would eliminate the main studio rule, broadcast industry officials told us. The item is seen as unlikely to change much from an original public draft before the Oct. 24 commissioners' meeting, an FCC official told us. The FCC's Democrats are seen as unlikely to unreservedly vote in favor of the draft order, and may concur or dissent instead, industry officials told us.
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The draft order expected to be approved would eliminate the main studio rule for all broadcasters, which runs counter to statements by Clyburn when she voted for the NPRM (see 1705180066) in May. Clyburn conceded then that eliminating the rule could help some small broadcasters but said she wouldn’t support a “blanket rule” for all broadcasters because it would hurt localism. Clyburn's and Rosenworcel's offices didn't comment.
Broadcasters still will be incentivized to maintain connections to their communities of service and cover local news “to distinguish themselves from their competitors, to gain popularity and thus advertising dollars,” the draft order said. “The cost savings broadcasters may achieve following elimination of the main studio rule will enable them to allocate greater resources to local programming and other matters such as community outreach, newsgathering, equipment upgrades, and attracting new talent and personnel.”
Although Rosenworcel wasn’t on the FCC when the NPRM was voted, her recent speech on media ownership (see 1710120057) and statements criticizing the commission’s response to Hurricane Maria’s damage to Puerto Rico (see 1709260044) are seen as indications she’s positioning herself as a vocal opponent of Chairman Ajit Pai, said numerous industry officials. One broadcast executive suggested the presence of former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps at Rosenworcel’s speech Thursday was also intended to send a similar signal, since Copps is renowned for his effectiveness as a minority commissioner (see 1510280062).
The draft order also would get rid of staffing requirements connected with the station rule, which many broadcasters cited as a resource drain, in comments on the NPRM. The draft order would require broadcasters to maintain a local or toll-free phone number for listeners to get into contact with the station. Though some commenters suggested the FCC allow broadcasters to provide an email address in lieu of a local phone number, that would disadvantage consumers that don’t use email, the draft order said.
Since some broadcasters still will be transitioning to an all-online public file after the rule is eliminated, the draft order will require them to make public file items that aren’t online at a public location. Most broadcasters in that situation likely will use a public library, a broadcast attorney said.