The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:
“We are very pleased that Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) has introduced the Local Television Freedom Act. This bill will help consumers around the country to receive the TV news and information relevant to their lives that they can’t now see because of how out-of-market signals are delivered.
“Today, the TV channels consumers in rural areas receive are often governed by artificial market boundaries, rather than by communities of interest. As a result, some consumers receive out-of-state channels, rather than channels from stations within their states.
“Congressman Ross’s bill is a targeted solution that would allow areas to get local programming relevant to their communities even if they are technically designated as part of a different market.
“We are pleased the legislation brings forward a recommendation I made when I testified before the House Communications Subcommittee on Feb. 24 this year. (Note: testimony here) At that time, I said that current rules harm localism rather than encouraging it, and said that market-based and distance-based restrictions on “distant signals” should be relaxed.
“This legislation goes a long way toward that goal, and we commend the Congressman and his colleagues for it. We look forward to the bill’s rapid consideration.”
Congressman Ross's release is here
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.