NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th 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).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
August 15, 2007                                                          Rick Chessen at (202) 418-2000
STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS RE: COMMENTS FILED  
BY 28 PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS IN THIRD DTV PERIODIC REVIEW
For years I have argued that the most important part of the DTV transition is to ensure that it 
increases localism and diversity on our airwaves.  Broadcasters will be able to air up to half a 
dozen different digital program streams, so here is a wonderful chance for them to get away from 
all the homogenized, nationalized programming that big media has foisted on us in favor of 
covering the people and communities they actually serve.  Digital technology can be a huge boon 
for all of us--but only if we make sure this spectrum serves the public interest. The FCC has been 
asleep at the switch on this one, refusing to address what is really the heart-and-soul of DTV.  I 
welcome the comments of the 28 groups who came together to ask the Commission to get 
serious about defining how this transition will benefit not just broadcasters, but all the American 
people.