WILLIMANTIC, Conn., Aug. 15, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Broadcasters Association is leading an effort to urge President Barack Obama and top federal government leaders to appoint a Broadcaster to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The professional association, which includes more than 150 Connecticut radio stations, television stations, individual Broadcasters and industry companies, has contacted Pres. Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, asking them to consider appointing a Broadcaster to one of two FCC Commissioner positions that are expected to be vacant within the next few months. No Broadcaster has served as an FCC Commissioner in more than a decade.
The Connecticut Broadcasters Association's Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution urging the federal leaders to appoint a Broadcaster to one of the FCC's vacancies. The organization also has asked the National Association of Broadcasters and their colleagues in other state associations to pass similar resolutions.
"Although the Federal Communications Commission is involved in a wide range of issues, its most public jurisdiction is over Radio and TV," explains Don DeCesare, a Past Chairman of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association and the Owner and General Manager of WMRD-AM in Middletown and WLIS-AM in Old Saybrook. "We strongly believe it is vital to the development of sound public broadcasting and telecommunications policy that at least one member of the Commission be a person with a deep understanding of the broadcast industry."
"The last Broadcaster to be appointed a Commissioner was James Henry Quello, more than 35 years ago by President Nixon, and Quello's service ended more than a dozen years ago," says DeCesare. "Since his departure, massively important policy issues, directly affecting the Broadcast Industry, were passed into law and practice without the benefit of the direct contributions of a sitting Broadcaster Member."
Since its establishment in 1955, the Connecticut Broadcasters Association has been a respected industry leader in legal, governmental, education and community issues on both the State and National levels. Members include broadcast TV stations, radio stations, vendors and companies with a business interest in broadcasting, educational facilities, and anyone with a personal interest in broadcasting. For more information about the organization, contact the CBA office at (860) 633-5031 or visit www.ctba.org.