NAB CEO Gordon Smith Talks Cross-Ownership, FM Chip Mandate On Jim Bohannon Show

Gordon Smith

NAB CEO GORDON SMITH appearrecently on the JIM BOHANNON talk show, and touched upone a few subjects including the ongoing debate over the inclusion of FM chips in mobile devices and TV/Newspaper cross-ownership.

Discussing the possibility of rolling back the restrictions of Newspapers owniing broadcast propertiers in Top-20 markets, SMITH noted the internet has caused "concern out there about the survivability of hard journalism," and added, "We don't think the rules should be totally eliminated. But we think the rules were developed in the days of 'I Love Lucy' and are completely antiquated for the purposes of today's marketplace of information."

As for FM chips being mandatory in mobile devices, SMITH said that the recent Superstorm Sandy helps frame the discussion, but isn't a tipping point. 

BOHANNON said, "the recent disaster we call Superstorm Sandy has reminded us that so-called 'old' media not only still has a place in our lives, it's absolutely vital. The storm took down 75% of the cell towers in its path, but the vast majority of local radio stations, like the one you're listening to right now, stayed on the air, acting as a vital lifeline. Between tracking the storm as it approached and hit, through the emergency warnings from officials, through coverage of the aftermath and the clean-up, local stations have been in the forefront. "

GORDON noted, "It may take a few more disasters before Congress will approach the word mandate. it's not that Congress isn't capable of doing mandates when it's in the public interest, it's just that this issue has not risen to the level of alarm in the minds of members of Congress that they feel to mandate this."

You can listen to the hour-long interview here.

« see more Net News