<\/p>\n
September 11, 2014<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller IV
Chairman
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
United States Senate
254 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20002<\/p>\n
Re: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLocal Choice\u201d and Communications Act Update <\/strong><\/p>\n Dear Senator Rockefeller:<\/p>\n On behalf of the National Consumers League[1] (NCL), I am writing to give you our thoughts regarding your and Ranking Member Thune\u2019s \u201cLocal Choice\u201d proposal, should it be considered as part of an update to the Communications Act.<\/p>\n NCL has long supported federal policies that would end blackouts of programming stemming from retransmission consent negotiations between broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs).[2] We also support additional choice and bill transparency for cable television subscribers.<\/p>\n In addition, we urge the Committee to seek solutions that achieve these goals while also preserving the viability of local broadcasters. Today \u2013 the 13th<\/sup> anniversary of September 11, 2001 — we are reminded of the critical role that local television broadcasters play in informing the public during times of crisis. Absent local broadcasters, consumers could be left without a crucial source of information when disasters strike. Enabling universal access to local broadcast stations is, we believe, an essential American value.<\/p>\n We understand that the \u201cLocal Choice\u201d amendment to the Satellite Television Access and Viewer Rights Act (STAVRA) will not be considered during this Congress.[3] \u00a0We hope that these issues will be part of the discussions surrounding a possible update to the Communications Act. We urge you and your colleagues on the Commerce Committee to seek a solution that both preserves the important role that local broadcasting plays in communities across America while increasing cable bill transparency and ending blackouts.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Sally Greenberg cc: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable John Thune, Ranking Member<\/p>\n [1] The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is the nation\u2019s pioneering consumer organization.\u00a0 Our non-profit mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad.\u00a0 For more information, visit https:\/\/nclnet.org<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [2] National Consumers League. \u201cConsumers are the ultimate losers in retransmission consent fights,\u201d Press Release. August 6, 2013. Online: https:\/\/nclnet.org\/consumers_are_ultimate_losers_in_retransmission_consent_fights<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Executive Director
National Consumers League<\/p>\n
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