STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN
Re:  Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio 
Broadcast Service, MM Docket No. 99-325, Second Repot and Order, First Order on 
Reconsideration and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Today’s action by the Commission will promote radio’s transition from the 
analog world to the digital one. Much like it does in television, this transition presents
radio stations the opportunity to multicast.  Multicasting will enable radio stations to 
provide a greater amount and greater variety of free programming to consumers.
This order also confirms that digital radio stations are subject to the same public 
interest obligations as analog radio stations.  Every obligation broadcasters have in the 
analog world must continue in the digital world.  These include requirements that 
broadcasters air programming about the significant issues facing their local communities,
provide emergency alerts and make emergency information accessible to those with 
disabilities, and follow extensive requirements governing political advertising.
The Commission made a similar determination to carry over obligations from 
analog to digital in the television context as well.  We increased the obligations for 
children’s programming in the digital world.  The Commission is currently considering a 
proposal that would modify broadcasters’ disclosure obligations to improve the 
availability and quality of information available to the public.  I support this “enhanced 
disclosure”—the requiring of broadcasters to tell us and the public exactly how much 
time they devote to, for example, local programming, news and current affairs, political 
campaigns, or even local sports.  I am not comfortable, however, telling broadcasters 
exactly how much time they must spend on each of these areas.  In addition, I believe 
mandatory minimums too often become ceilings on what broadcasters provide, not floors.  
Today, the Commission also adopts a Second Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking that seeks comment on whether we should adopt any new public interest 
requirements for digital audio broadcasters.  While radio broadcasters are not subject to 
children’s programming requirements, they too must maintain public files and 
information about their efforts to serve the public.  I support modifying their disclosure 
obligations too to ensure that the public has more and better information about these 
efforts. I am pleased that the Notice seeks comment on this specific issue of enhanced 
disclosure.