FCC Chair Wants Networks to Pledge Loyalty for America's Big Bday

mindslight

How do you celebrate someone's birthday when their wife just died? You still do, but it's more somber and bittersweet than joyous. Just like America's 250th with these fascists busy destroying our cherished societal institutions.

afavour

The level of insecurity is something to behold. It's unfathomable that one of the major networks was ever going to run "Here's why America is Bad" as part of a 250th anniversary celebration. This entire pledge is nonsensical.

mikestew

Could we just link to the original source instead of Gizmodo’s editorialized bad take? https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf I’ll start by saying that it pains me to have to defend anything out of Carr’s mouth, but “loyalty” isn’t anywhere in that doc. Carr calls for a pledge to air PSAs and what have you, not loyalty. And when he complains of civic illiteracy, is he wrong? Ironically, how do we think we got into this mess of the current administration? Is Carr wrong in calling for the airing of things like School House Rock ? Is it so bad to start the broadcast day with the national anthem? (Trick question, because when I was a kid some 50 years ago, I remember the broadcast day ending with the national anthem. Was never up early enough to find out what they did at the start of the day.) The way Gizmodo words it, you’d think Carr is requiring that all broadcasters air blatant government propaganda. And maybe the FCC document is just a dog whistle, I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong. But the original document takes about five minutes to read, and I strongly suggest you read it and judge for yourself, rather than get all riled up from TFA’s editorializing.

hedora

Well, at least they're creating an easy litmus test the majority of the population can use to filter out propaganda sources. Ratings of news networks with Trump-mandated censors are already in free-fall. This pledge will provide additional public signal to help viewers know which channel to switch to. It's amazing to me that censors still don't understand the Streisand Effect. I guess we should just take the small wins at this point.

pinkmuffinere

I'm disappointed by the discussion on this submission. Here's a list of things that would be encouraged by the main text of the request [1]: - The national anthem / pledge of allegiance (explicitly suggested by the text) - Civics-related stuff -- information about voting, how laws are passed, the branches of govt, the separation of powers, etc. - Arts that are "truly" American -- Blues, Jazz, Rock n Roll, etc. I know there will be disagreement about what counts as "American", but it's clear that there are some art forms that wouldn't exist without America's unique mixture of cultures. - Things about America's history -- speeches from George Washington/Lincoln/MLK/Other significant figures, the musical Hamilton, the emancipation proclamation, the text from the statue of liberty, discussion of Japanese internment camps, the history of Hawaii/Peurto Rico/Alaska/Any relevant state, etc I think those would all be positive. I'm sure there will also be some less inclusive parts that will endorsed by some broadcasters (I think discussion of that is good, but not endorsement). Carr's message is not asking for that, it's just encouraging an increased focus on America. [1] https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf

josefritzishere

This is very creepy. It's right out of 1984.

tzs

Here's is what Carr is asking: > That is why I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration. As an example, this could include: > • Running PSAs, short segments, or full specials specifically promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history. > • Including segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites that are significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites. > • Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance. > • Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin. > • Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting significant events that took place on that day in history. > • Partnering with community organizations and other groups that are already working hard to bring America’s stories of unity, perseverance, and triumph to light With the exception of the one with the Pledge of Allegiance, those bullet items are things I would be completely unsurprised to find on a local PBS station. They would actually be pretty good things to include in a country's 250th birthday celebration.