REMARKS OF COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE 
FCC HEARING ON LOCALISM 
PORTLAND, MAINE 
JUNE 28, 2007 
 
I want to thank everyone in Portland for your kind hospitality and for 
your assistance in making this hearing possible here at the Portland High 
school.  I also want to thank Governor Baldacci, Senators Snowe and 
Collins, and Representatives Allen and Michaud for your leadership.  
Portland is a beautiful, historic and thriving city; one particularly blessed 
with natural beauty and an abundance of cultural attractions and media 
outlets.  I can understand why Portland was ranked fourth among the top ten 
“perfect places” in America to live.   
 
The issues that we plan to explore with you are very important to me, 
and to all of us at the FCC.  All off us are keenly aware of the pervasive 
impact that radio and television has on our children, on our daily lives, and 
on our culture.  I have taken a special interest in the effects of television 
violence and the amount of advertising for unhealthy foods and beverages - - 
especially during times that children are in the audience.  It is my hope that 
those of you who are broadcasters will not only meet your legal 
requirements regarding CORE children’s programming, but more 
importantly that you will also provide more balanced, positive and healthy 
messages.  I challenge you to be an industry leader and help us solve this 
national epidemic of childhood obesity. 
 
The Commission began this proceeding to examine how well radio 
and television stations are serving their communities before I became an 
FCC Commissioner.  I bring an open and inquiring mind to this issue.  
Localism refers to the responsiveness of a broadcast station to the needs and 
problems of the residents of its community.    
 
The concept of localism is a cornerstone of the law, our regulations 
and at the very heart of broadcasting.  In return for the right to use the public 
air waves, the broadcaster is obligated to air programming that is specifically 
responsive to the needs of its station’s community of license –YOUR 
communities.  That is why it is so important that we visit communities 
across this country to actually see and hear from both the licensees as well as 
you, whom they serve.  
 
This hearing will provide us the ability to get beyond the Beltway, 
beyond the political discourse, and to learn today, directly from you, as 
citizens, scholars, businesses, nonprofits and broadcasters how your 
broadcasters are serving the needs of the viewers in the Portland area.  
 
In closing, I want to thank both our panels – an impressive group of 
broadcasters, academics, journalists, programmers, musicians, 
representatives of public interest organizations, and others – who are 
uniquely situated to share their thoughts on this topic.  More importantly, 
every one of you is taking time out of your busy lives to be here because 
your truly care about these issues.  This is precisely what our forefathers 
meant by government “of the people… for the people” and we look forward 
to hearing from each of you.  
 
Thank you.