To help citizens and citizen groups who are trying to make television and radio more responsive to public needs, tastes, and desires, a handbook sponsored by the United Church of Christ spells out government regulatory policies and the public role in them. Sections describe the various roles of the Federal Communications Commission, Congress, the White House, and the Courts and outline the broadcaster's responsibilities and his legally-mandated relationship with the public. Citizens are told how to start a public-interest group and how to intervene in license-renewal proceedings. FCC-required program reports and forms are explained and summarized, both for commercial broadcasting and educational stations. Appendixes include a bibliography of FCC policies, a list of organizations offering assistance to citizen groups, a state-by-state listing of license-renewal dates, and the text of an agreement between a citizens' group and a Dallas broadcasting station. Samples of a renewal application, an annual programing report, and an annual employment report are also included. (SK)