*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 40084* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: July 9, 2004 Richard Diamond (202) 418- 0506 Meribeth McCarrick (202) 418- 0654 FCC LOCALISM TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES TICKETING AND OPEN MICROPHONE PROCEDURES TO FACILITATE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BROADCAST LOCALISM HEARING IN MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA RM- 10803 Washington, D. C. – Today the Federal Communications Commission’s Localism Task Force announces further details about its fourth broadcast localism hearing to facilitate public participation. The purpose of these hearings is to gather information from consumers, industry, civic organizations, and others on broadcasters’ service to their local communities. An important focus of the hearings will be to gather information and to conduct outreach for the ongoing nationwide round of broadcast station license renewals. The date, time, and location of the fourth hearing are: Date: July 21, 2004 Time: 6: 00 p. m. to 10: 00 p. m. Place: Monterey Conference Center Steinbeck Forum, Third Floor One Portola Plaza Monterey, California 93940 Parking Parking is available in the Custom House East and West public parking garages on Del Monte and Tyler Streets. Please see the attached document entitled “Monterey Conference Center Location and Parking” for directions to the center, a map of its location, and some nearby parking facilities. More information about nearby parking (including hours of operation, directions, and rates) is also available at www. monterey. org/ parking/ garages. html. Admission Tickets To avoid the need for the public to line up for the hearing, the Task Force will distribute free, general admission tickets on a first- come, first- served basis in advance of the hearing. A ticket guarantees admission to the hearing. One ticket will be issued to each person. To make it 1 To further assist members of the public in participating in the Monterey hearing, the Task Force has also prepared two background documents, the attached fact sheet about broadcast localism, and a list of five questions that the public might consider as they listen to the hearing and formulate their remarks. This background material will also be included in the public packets provided to all who attend the hearing. Translation, Captioning and Other Accommodations Simultaneous translation of the hearing will be provided in Spanish via wireless headsets. Open captioning will also be provided for this event. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests should include a description of the accommodation needed, providing as much detail as possible, as well as contact information, should additional information be needed. Please make requests as early as possible. All requests will be accepted and every effort will be made to fulfill them, although timing considerations may make that impossible in some cases. Send requests via e- mail to fcc504@ fcc. gov, or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau: For sign language interpreters, CART, and other reasonable accommodations: 202- 418- 0530 (voice), 202- 418- 0432 (TTY). For accessible format materials (Braille, large print, electronic files, and audio format): 202- 418- 0531 (voice), 202- 418- 7365 (TTY). A live audiocast of the hearing will be available at the FCC’s website at www. fcc. gov on a first- come, first- served basis. In addition, the hearing will be recorded, and the recording will be made available to the public. The public may also file comments or other documents with the Commission and should reference RM- 10803. Filing instructions are provided at http:// www. fcc. gov/ localism/ filing_ instructions. doc. For additional information about the hearing or the Localism Task Force, please visit the Task Force’s website at http:// www. fcc. gov/ localism, or contact the Task Force directly at 202- 418- 7777, or at localism@ fcc. gov. Press inquiries should be directed to Richard Diamond at 202- 418- 0506, or Meribeth McCarrick at 202- 418- 0654. -- FCC -- 3