The Nevada Broadcaster (Newsletter) Archives
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| Oct 21, 2010 |
| NBA Filed Petition Today |
| NBA FILED PETITION TODAY
Earlier today, the Nevada Broadcasters Association, along with 45 other State Broadcasters Associations, the National Association of Broadcasters, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Society of Broadcast Engineers, American Cable Association, Association for Maximum Service Television, National Public Radio, Association of Public Television Stations and Public Broadcasting Service, urged the FCC to extend the current March 29, 2011 CAP-compliance deadline to at least September 30, 2011 or later, as well as to consider holding the deadline in abeyance until the FCC has completed its own CAP-related equipment certification process and has resolved its anticipated rulemaking proceeding concerning modifications to Part 11 of its EAS rules and regulations. |
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| Oct 07, 2010 |
| Governor Debate This Thursday |
| GOVERNOR DEBATE
THIS THURSDAY
The Nevada Broadcasters Association 2010 Gubernatorial Debate is scheduled for this Thursday evening, October 7, beginning at 6:00 PM. Nearly 50 Nevada television and radio stations have indicated that they will carry the debate. Democrat Rory Reid and Republican Brian Sandoval will face each other, with long-time Vegas PBS (and NBA Hall of Fame broadcaster) Mitch Fox serving as debate moderator. Mitch was unanimously chosen by the NBA Board of Directors, as well as Vegas PBS unanimously chosen to serve as the debate production house.
Vegas PBS has produced over 40 TV debates in the last two decades. The NBA Gubernatorial Debate -- like all Vegas PBS debates -- will be in English with Spanish translation on SAP. Additionally, closed captioning in both languages will be provided so most citizens can participate in viewing or listening to the candidates regardless of language or disability. The engineers of all participating stations will be doing scheduled tests this week leading up to the debate. If engineers have any questions, concerns or problems, they are asked to please speak directly with Adrienne Abbott at nevadaeas@charter.net 775-750-5987.
The format will include an opening, welcome, introduction of the candidates and an explanation of the debate rules. Questions were submitted to the NBA by television and radio news directors, viewers and listeners. The topics receiving the highest number of submissions, will be the topics covered in this debate. The formulation of the questions is the sole responsibility of Mitch, NBA President Bob Fisher and NBA Vice-President Adam Sandler. Questions will not be shared in advance.
The debate will conclude with each candidate offering their closing statement. As per the recommendations made by the NBA Executive Committee, the debate is expected to move quickly, that questions will be answered with specific solutions rather than attacking an opponent and that the debate will be fair, unbiased and professional in its presentation.
NBA Board Chairman, Thom Porterfield has stated time and time again that our NBA debates go far beyond "Public Service." Scores of television and radio stations are collectively donating hundreds of thousands of dollars of their air time because each one feels the obligation, responsibility and privilege -- for doing our part to have knowledgeable and engaged voters.
WHAT IT MEANS TO NEVADA:
TOO SOON?
FEMA has made the long-anticipated announcement that it has adopted Common Alerting Protocol or CAP as the new standard for public warning. CAP allows emergency managers to issue emergency information through a variety of platforms, saving time and ensuring that the public gets the same message whether it's from broadcasters, cell phone texts, emails or highway signs. The CAP format also allows emergency managers to embed audio files, scripts, pictures, maps and graphics within their messages creating a data-rich product that is suited to both television and radio as well as the Internet. The FEMA news release can be found here: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=52880
The assumption is being made that the FCC's 180-day clock is ticking, even though the FCC hasn't made an official announcement. The NAB and organizations like the Society of Broadcast Engineers and the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations including the NBA, are considering plans to ask the FCC to delay the deadline for an additional 180 days, giving manufacturers a chance to make sure their next generation EAS equipment meets CAP standards. CAP EAS equipment has been on the market for more than a year and has been installed in some radio and TV stations as well as emergency management offices around the country. FEMA has been conducting compliance tests at their conformance lab set up especially for this project.
But you may want to wait before you pick up the phone and order your new equipment. A lot could change in the near future. In addition to the possible extension of the 180-day deadline, the FCC is expected to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to rewrite EAS regulations. There could be pressure from FEMA on state officials to purchase CAP equipment and that will affect what you end up buying. Questions have been raised about possible incompatibility issues between manufacturers, issues that could result in delays in broadcasting emergency messages.
And even where state and local officials decline to buy new EAS equipment -- and that is a strong possibility in cash-strapped Nevada, there may still be an opportunity for broadcasters to agree on a single product and then seek a group discount from the manufacturer. NBA members who are interested in such a discount should contact SECC Chair Adrienne Abbott for more information. We will be surveying stations to determine your EAS needs and interests.
Adrienne Abbott |
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