NEWS                                                           July 1, 1996

                NESS SEES OPPORTUNITY TO TURN CHILDREN'S
         TELEVISION INTO A WIN FOR BROADCASTERS AND COMMUNITIES
                                    
 "Working together, as individuals we can ascend in our chosen careers.  And working
together as a community, we can ascend by delivering communications products and services
that reflect our highest values," said FCC Commissioner Susan Ness, in a keynote address on
Friday, June 28 before the 45th Annual Conference of American Women in Radio and
Television in Naples, Florida, on their conference theme "Ascend '96." Commissioner Ness
lauded the progress of women in communications and broadcasting and encouraged their
continued efforts to bring meaningful change to the industry and their communities.  

 In particular, Commissioner Ness outlined several recent steps by the Commission to
"increase opportunities for women to ascend as owners" of telecommunications services.  In
the spectrum auctions, Commissioner Ness observed that, "[t]he Commission wrote its auction
rules to open the doors of opportunity.  We provide a chance to compete in a race based on
talent.  There's no guarantee of success, but there's a place at the starting line for some who
never before made it into the gates."  Commissioner Ness explained that the newly-created
Telecommunications Development Fund, financed by interest earned in the auctions, "will
become a valuable resource for loans and investments in small communications businesses." 
Commissioner Ness also announced a public forum on market entry barriers, to be held later
this summer.  Commissioner Ness said that the forum is part of a proceeding mandated by the
Telecom Act to inquire about the obstacles encountered by small businesses in "entering the
marketplace and accessing capital.  It seeks information on barriers unique to women and
minorities who are pursuing employment and ownership opportunities in this field."

 Commissioner Ness also addressed the Children's Television Proceeding.  
Commissioner Ness highlighted that under the proposed three-hour safe harbor approach that
is expected to be adopted, broadcasters "need not sacrifice quality for quantity.  You have the
flexibility to choose, as long as the level of commitment is roughly equivalent to three hours
of core programming."  Commissioner Ness explained, "Now is a great opportunity to turn
the Children's Television Act into a win for broadcasters and your communities.  Work
together to find programming concepts that kids like.  Work with the advertising community
to underwrite these programs.  Work with your communities to promote them.  You can do it
-- I know you will show that leadership." 

  Praising those women in telecommunications who "demonstrate by their deeds that it
is possible to give back to society at the same time" as they advance their careers,
Commissioner Ness concluded:  "I don't think that we need to separate our roles as
businesswomen from our roles as concerned parents, grandparents, aunts, sisters, or members
of the community.  I don't think that our values need to change as we leave the living room
and enter the board room."       

- FCC -