STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3777

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 220

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 220 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS AND THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO CODIFY A DEFINITION OF THE "PUBLIC INTEREST STANDARD" FOR THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the United States Congress and Federal Communications Commission to codify a definition of the "public interest standard" for the broadcasting industry.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities for the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committees find that it is important that public airwaves be used to broadcast a broad range of viewpoints for the benefit of all members of the public.  Your Committees also find that the Federal Communications Commission, the agency charged with governing communication policy decision-making at the federal level, has long employed the so-called "public interest standard" when regulating the broadcast industry.  However, your Committees find that "public interest standard" has never been defined and has resulted in complaints that the Federal Communications Commission has relied on market forces rather than the public interest when regulating broadcasters.  Your Committees find that the lack of a clear definition for the "public interest standard" has resulted in declining standards for broadcasters and that codifying a definition of the "public interest standard" would promote fairness and objectivity in broadcasting, which would greatly benefit the public.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 220, and recommend its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair