Newsworthy events really do happen in the Garden State
Sep 27, 2009 | 165 views | 1 1 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Dear Editor:

I just read the letter signed Jaci Clement. The station in question, WWOR I believe managed to avoid loss of its license years ago by agreeing to move to its current New Jersey location and provide news to and about the New Jersey market.

Unfortunately, many, including some in the broadcast media perceive New Jersey to be little more than a highway between N.Y.C. and Philadelphia.

Yes newsworthy events really do happen in the Garden State, but cast in the shadow of the Empire State Building it is often difficult to notice those local newsworthy stories.

However without regard to the issues of constitutionality which Ms. Clement suggests, if in fact the broadcast station in question has failed to live up to any legal F.C.C. licensing agreement, then this station must be held accountable when licensing renewal is required.

The best way to let a broadcaster know how you feel about such issues is by writing to the management and offering your views.

Those views also should be heard by the Federal Communications Commission as these are in fact "public airwaves."

In absence of any positive action one might try boycotting the station and letting their advertisers know. The purse always tends to be the most tender part of the broadcast media.

After all it is not the primary mission of a broadcaster to deliver the news. It is their mission to deliver the largest possible audience to the advertiser. It is called ratings. Never forget that.

Michael Seyfried

Comments
(1)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
VNJ
|
December 18, 2009
It should be noted that originally NJ had no FCC licenses and that WWOR was a NY station. In the 80s, the WWOR license was nearly revoked, but legislation was passed which granted the license in NJ. This legislation set specific requirements

to serve the local community.

Two years ago, the FCC license for WWOR came up for renewal. At that time, Voice for NJ, a grassroots organization filed a formal Petition to Deny the license. This filing and the support it received led to the first FCC hearing on a license renewal in over twenty years.

Although the station is allowed to continue to operate, no decision has yet been made by the FCC regarding the renewal. Then Chairman Martin stated, on the record, that he felt some actions should be taken.

Over the last few months, FOX/Newscorp, owners of WWOR have made presentations to the new FCC Commissioners and staff in order to obtain a positive outcome for their license renewal. They have clearly misrepresented their performance vis a vis their commitment to NJ. Voice for NJ has filed its response. In the fight for better broadcast media coverage, VNJ needs your help. Write to the FCC to let them know what you think of Fox’s actions. A sample letter is available on our website at http://www.voicenj.com/VNJSupport.html