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FCC News: Closed Captioning Threatened
On Wed. Sept 13, 2006, the FCC issued one of the worst
decisions it has ever issued on closed captioning. The Order is
on the web site shown below. Basically the order grants two requests
for exemptions from the requirement to closed caption, a requirement
in place since 1996 and that has ensured more and more closed captioning
on television.
In taking this action, the FCC states that it is "inclined
favorably" to grant new exemption requests to organizations
that do "not receive compensation from video programming distributors
from the airing of [their] programs," and who also say they
"may terminate or substantially curtail [their] programming"
or "[curtail] other activities important to [their] mission"
if forced to caption.
The gist of what the FCC has done is to open the door to many more
exemptions. It appears also the FCC's action creates a rule change
that defines a new category of exemption from the captioning rules,
cutting the legs out from the current "undue burden" proof
currently needed to get an exemption for captioning requirement.
What the FCC has done is very serious. This new interpretation of
the rules for asking for an exemption from having to closed caption
has far reaching effects that go well beyond the specific TV programming
in these two Orders and could extend to any entity, regardless of
its resources, if they can make a case that "we cant afford
it" or "it might shut us down."
Please contact the following persons at the FCC and send thousands
of emails and letters protesting this decision. Thank you for caring
about this!
Sample email. Please customize:
"In Re DA 06-1802, CGB-CC-0005 and CGB-CC-0007
Dear FCC Chairman, I protest the recent Orders granting exemptions
from closed captioning issued by CGB.
These Orders appear to create a new regulation, carving out a new
exemption basis, not in keeping with current regulations. We are
outraged and believe the FCC has created a loophole that almost
any entity crying "it costs too much" can now use. Please
reconsider immediately! We need our closed captioning!
Your name
Your address."
Thousands of calls and emails should be sent to the FCC Chairman
and Commissioners. Contact information:
Chairman Kevin Martin, Tel (202) 418-1000
Email: Kevin.Martin@fcc.gov
or use online email system at
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/martin/mail.html
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, Tel (202) 418-2500
Email: Deborah.Tate@fcc.gov
Commissioner McDowell, Tel (202) 418-2200
Email: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael Copps, Tel (202) 418-2000
Email: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Tel (202) 418-2300
Email: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov
Also calls and Email to the FCC Bureau that issued the Order:
CGB Chief Monica DeSai at (202) 418-1400
Email: Monica.DeSai@fcc.gov
FCC address:
FCC, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20054
Attn: Chairman Martin. Fax (202) 418-0232
For further information on this, please contact
Jenifer Simpson, at AAPD,
Email: aapdjenifer@aol.com
Michael E Graziano
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