context->filename = 'n:\utility\503800267\5006213885\5006213885.pdf' *Pages 1--2 from n:\utility\503800267\5006213885\5006213885.pdf* DIANNE FEINSTEIN CAuFonM COMMll- fEE ON APPROPRLATIONS ORIGINAL COMMfTrEE ON THE JUMCIARY COMMITfEE ON RULES AND ADMlNISTRA7ION 9Bnited j5tstu Senate WASHINGTON, DC 205Ef4emRTf. OR &&) November 15,1999 Sheryi J. Wilkerson Director, Office of Legislative Affairs ‘Ihe Federal Communications Commission Room 808 1919 M Street N. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 lNQUIRY FROM: National Organization for Women RE: The FCC’s role in establishing public broadcasting guidelines Dear Ms. Wilkerson: I am forwarding the attached constituent inquiry for your review and consideration. I believe that my constituent would benefit from your response to the specific issues raised in the enclosed letter. I would appreciate it if you would return your response, in duplicate, to my Washington, D. C. office as quickly as possible so that I can share the information with my constituent. With warmest personal regards. Dianne Feinstein United States Senator DF: re MD. of Copies List ABCDE 1 Nat ional Organization for Women, Inc. 733 15th Street, NW, Td FL, Washington. DC 20005 (202) 626- 6669 FAX (202) 7658576 September 25,1999 Honorable Dianne Feinstein 33 1 Senate Hart Office Building Washington, DC 205 10- 0504 Dear Honorable Feinstein: Television plays an important and powerful role in my community, and I am concerned about the lack of positive images of women, the dearth of public interest programming that addresses women’s needs and the influence of television programming on children. Women and people of color have never had truly equal access to the airwaves, and television programming is filled with harmful and negative images and stereotypes of women. The airwaves are a public trust, yet Congress has given exclusive control of those airwaves to major corporations for free. In return, broadcasters are supposed to act in the public interest; but this has never happened. I understand that television broadcasters in major cities across the United States began implementing the use of digital television signals on May 1, 1999. I want to know what responsibilities broadcasters will be required to assume in exchange for the free use of our airwaves. Broadcasters have urged the FCC to issue voluntary guidelines regarding their public interest obligations. The public deserves mandatory broadcasting obligations. I respectfully request that Congress require the FCC to convene hearings to hear from those of us who are concerned about women’s images in the media and our access to the airwaves. We should expect something substantial in return for giving away such vast public resources. Sacramento, CA National Board Member National Organization for Women Copies: National Organization for Women Headquarters FCC Chair William Kennard Representative Robert Matsui Senator Barbara Boxer 2