FCC Report Takes Air Out of Broadcasters’ “Localism” Argument for High Retrans Fees

3 of 10 Local Stations Air No Local News

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 9, 2011 – According to a report delivered today to the FCC, local broadcasters “do little or no local programming” and “about 30 percent air no local news.” The new report takes the air out of the broadcasters’ argument that squeezing more money out of retrans supports local programming, especially news.

The FCC Working Group report “Information Needs of Communities: The Changing Media Landscape in a Broadband Age,” is available here.