July 29, 1997
                                  
                     COMMISSIONER CHONG ISSUES 
             CALL TO ACTION TO CALIFORNIA BROADCASTERS

     Speaking to the California Broadcasters Association in Monterey, California, on July
28, FCC Commissioner Rachelle Chong issued a "call to action to end the trend of increased
government intrusion" into broadcast program content.  Chong cited examples of continuing
attempts to impose greater government control over television content including quantitative
guidelines for children's educational television, calls for free advertising time for political
candidates, TV content ratings and proposed government mandates for counter-advertising and
public service announcements.  She urged broadcasters to "begin speaking out strongly and
firmly about why the First Amendment must be protected for our democracy to stand."  

     Chong also discussed the FCC's recent digital television decisions and its pending
broadcast ownership proceedings.  With regard to digital television, she  urged the
broadcasters to "join with me in assuring your viewers that the improvements [of digital
television] will indeed be worth the cost."  

                                                   - FCC -