Argues that the FCC prefers an unregulated marketplace for children's programing, but that it has not been shown that the marketplace will work for this program type. (FL)

Analyzes the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) assignment of renewal expectancy to existing broadcast licensees within the framework of the Commission's ongoing inquiry into the comparative renewal process. Discusses and analyzes the rationales given by the Commission to justify its current policy. Finds only the criteria of excellent…

Reports that commercial television stations generally provided a greater percentage of public-interest programing in 1975 than in 1973, and that, while most stations meet Federal Communications Commission standards of 5 percent informational and 10 percent total nonentertainment programing, nearly 14 percent did not meet the 5 percent local…

An examination of data on FM construction permits shows that independent FM broadcasters have obtained construction permits in markets with larger adjusted populations than those where AM licensees were granted same-market permits. (GT)

Describes a methodology used in interviewing Federal Communications Commission commissioners, legal assistants, and Cable Bureau staff members about their attitudes toward the cable industry and regulation; reports results of the interviews, noting respondents' disappointment in the lack of cable growth. (GT)

Argues that there is no principled way to distinguish between the language used in the television program "Scared Straight" and that used by comedian George Carlin on radio station WBAI-FM, ruled indecent by the Supreme Court in "FCC v. Pacifica Foundation." (FL)

Tests recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling that marketplace forces will provide sufficient high quality broadcast programing. Finds that in the period 1981 to 1983, the amount of children's programing actually declined on commercial television stations and increased slightly on public broadcasting stations. Notes that cable…