What Needs To Be Done

The problems and negative consequences of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 are vast, and the four problems explained in the previous section are just the tip of the iceberg. However, we as the Concerned Citizens for Fair Broadcasting realize that the problems cannot be solved all at once, nor can they be solved over night. We therefore offer two simple solutions which we will feel will help solve some of the more pressing issues with regards to the Act. If we can secure these first two reforms it will go a long way in achieving our overall goal, and will help pave the way for further amendments to the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

• Solution 1: As Senator John McCain stated on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2005, “Congress provided new [digital] spectrum in 1996 to the broadcasters for free. I have often referred to this as the great $70 billion dollar taxpayer give-away.”
  To rectify this free give away of such a valuable PUBLIC resource we the CCFB recommend that: the FCC should reclaim the digital broadcasting spectrum and auction it off for fair value.

• Solution 2: The refusal of media conglomerates to give up a portion of their broadcasting spectrum to first responders for coordination in emergency situations is simply appalling. The Chairman of the 9/11 Commission, Tom Kean, himself has stated on numerous occasions, most recently in a September interview on CNN, that lack of ability by first responders to coordinate their activities due to lack of communications access directly results in deaths in crisis situations. It is often said that human life is precious, and that a monetary value cannot be put on it, so why are we allowing media conglomerates to make a profit at the cost of people’s lives? To rectify this travesty we recommend that: in conjunction with the reacquisition of spectrum for fair value auction, that the FCC now, and for however long is deemed necessary, give first responders across the country an irrevocable portion of the broadcasting spectrum.