FCC move could close local TV newsrooms [View all]

[HAB911]

Trying to keep up with current events out of Washington — or down the street — is about to become a whole lot harder.

But then again, those noble public servants at the Federal Communications Commission probably don’t want to bother you with needless, unpleasant stuff like the news. News, it can be so annoying.

Last week, in a 3-2 partisan vote, Republican appointees on the FCC rescinded a nearly 80-year-old rule that required radio and broadcast stations to maintain a local main studio in the communities they serve.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai argued that requiring local broadcast outlets to maintain production studios imposed an undue burden on radio and television stations because "the public these days is more likely to interact with stations (including accessing stations’ public access files) online. Additionally, technology allows broadcast stations to produce local news without a local studio."

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/Ruth-FCC-move-could-close-local-TV-newsrooms_162143196