From an e-mail circulated by WLOS News Channel 13 reporter and anchor Frank Kracher. Here’s the introduction from Kracher:
Friends:
Please take the time to look these over.
They explain how Congress will likely try to eliminate local television, as part of its effort to trim the enormous budget deficit.
Then help, if you feel so inclined.
It involves a phone call to our local Representatives and Senators.
We don’t want News 13 or other aspects of broadcast TV to disappear.
And here’s the form letter:
We are very concerned over the threats faced by our industry that are coming from Washington, DC. Some entities and their armies of lobbyists have been heavily lobbying national decision-makers to allow them to acquire local television broadcast spectrum.Sadly, many of these groups have played fast and loose with the facts or have even made false statements regarding local television use of broadcast spectrum.These calls to reassign local TV spectrum to other industries have only grown louder as our industry is poised to roll-out new programming and services that are broadcast via mobile digital television to portable, mobile and handheld devices. Local television spectrum is needed in order to broadcast mobile DTV.America knows first-hand the immense value and tremendous public service benefits offered by local broadcasters. This is unmatched by any other industry.Yet, this does not protect our industry from potential threats. Congress recently formed a “Super Committee” of 6 Senators and 6 Representatives that is tasked with recommending $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. Super Committee recommendations must be made by November 23rd and voted on by the entire Congress by December 23rd.The fact of the matter is that many damaging proposals could be slipped into this “must-pass” $1.5 trillion spending bill. Even members of Congress who have been strong supporters of local television may feel compelled to vote in favor of this $1.5 trillion bill even if it contains really bad legislation.This is why it is important your voice be heard by your local members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.Once they hear from their constituents and they understand the importance of local television they will, in turn, convey this to the Super Committee. Our goal is to ensure damaging legislation that could cripple our industry and harm our local communities is not included in this “must-pass” spending bill.