INFORMATION TO USERS This dissertation was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method In "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor. Michigan 48106 A Xerox éducation Company MASTERS THESIS M-4413 MEZO, Welcome Ann, THE CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS CENTER: ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BROADCASTING. The American University, M.A., 1972 Mass Communications University Microfilms, A XEROXCompany , Ann Arbor, Michigan © 1973 ''VelcoiTic? j'ljm Me 7 0 ALL R iarrs rlservkd THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN MICROFILMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED. THE CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BROADCASTING by Welcome Ann Mezo Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of the American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Communications Signatures of Committee: Chairman^ Dean of the ColKege Date : Date f V THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY 1972 FEB 26 1973 The American University Washington, D. C. Vé/l PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have i nd i St i net print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms, A Xerox Education Company TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 I. Background of the Study.................................................................................... 1 II. Purpose of the Study.............................................................................................3 III. Methodology of the S tu d y...................................................................................4 IV. Significance of the S tu d y....................................................... 5 CHAPTER I I - ORGANIZATION OF THE CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS CENTER . 8 I. The Founding......................................................................................................................8 II. Funding and Personnel ..... ............................................................ 10 III. Purpose.....................................................................................................................13 IV. Future Plans ............................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER I I I - ACCESS FOR RACIAL MINORITIES AND THE DISAVANTAGED . 19 I. Early Cases.................................................................................................... 19 P r o c e d u r e ................................................................................................................20 Washington Blacks Challenge WMAL-TV License Renewal . 22 Back Alley Theatre Complaint of Programming Discrimination 25 KRON-TV Charged with Monopolistic Practices ............................. 26 II. Blacks Challenge License Renewals of All Atlanta Stations. 28 III. Million Dollar Settlement Negotiated for Minority Programming . ................................................................................................38 IV. Rural Blacks Charge News Discrimination ....................................... 47 V. Alabama E ducational T e le v is io n Commission ....................................... 50 VI. Citizens Enforce Top-Fifty Markets Policy .................................. 57 VII. Other Cases ................................... 60 Format Changes ......................................................................................................... 61 i l l PAGE Syracuse Blacks Seek FM License ................................................................ 61 Columbus, Ohio, License Renewal Challenges ...................................... 62 Journalism Professors Challenge WISC-TV ........................................... 63 Chicago Citizens Negotiate with Network Stations....................... 63 CHAPTER IV - ACCESS FOR CONTROVERSIAL ISSU E S..............................................................64 I, U.S. Senators Ask for Prime Time to Oppose Administration V i e w s ...............................................................................................................................64 IX. Quaker Peace Committee Seeks Free Broadcast Time for Views 65 III. Business Executives Attempt to Purchase Broadcast Time for Political M essage. ................................................................................ 69 CHAPTER V - ACCESS TO REGULATORY PROCESSES...................................................................78 I. Primer on A scertainm ent o f Community Problems ................................. 78 II. Renewal of Licenses by Comparative Hearings ................................... 84 III. Reimbursement of Expenses for Challengers..........................................96 IV. Other Activities of the Center ......................................................100 Participation In Office of Management and Budget Hearing . 100 CATV P a n e l ....................................................................................................................... 101 Summer Study Group ................................................................................................. 102 ACT ......................................................................................................................................103 CHAPTER VI “ SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS............................................................................... 104 I. Summary...................................................................................104 Major A ch iev em e n ts ................................................................................................... 104 M inority Programming .............................................................................. 105 Educational Television ........................................................................ 106 Top-Fifty Markets Policy ................................................................... 107 Right of R ep ly.............................................................................................. 108 iv PAGE Access to Advertising T im e ...............................................................109 Access to Ownership...................................................................................110 Right to Reimbursement of E xpenses........................................... I l l Waiver-Negotiate Strategy ................................................................. 112 Minor Achievements ..................................................................................................113 R acial D iscrim ination in Programming . .............................. 113 Rural Black Challenge .........................................................................113 Ascertainment of Community Needs ............................................. 113 O ffice of Management and Budget Meeting.............................. 114 Aid to C itizens .............................................................................................114 II. Conclusions................................................................................................................ 115 P r o b le m s.......................................................................................................................... 115 Progress . ...................................................... 117 BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................................................................................................120 APPENDIX...................................................................................................................................................128 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION I . BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY In the early days of television Congress recognized that there could be only a limited number of stations