FCC proposes advances for children’s TV, but must do more

Statement of Common Cause President Chellie Pingree and Center for Digital Democracy Executive Director Jeff Chester on FCC proposal that broadcasters be required to carry three hours of children’s programming on their core digital channel, in addition to another three hours for every free digital multicast channel they program

The Federal Communications Commission has advanced the interests of children through its decision Thursday to implement new rules for broadcasters that will ensure more quality children’s programming on broadcasters’ new digital channels.

But these reforms cannot end with proposals benefiting children. FCC Chairman Michael Powell and the FCC now must move to ensure that broadcasters also serve the interests of the nation’s citizens, by airing public affairs and electoral coverage that enables viewers to participate in

their democracy.

Today’s action is just one step in what should be a set of policies which define the public interest in the digital age.