DAVID VITTER
LOLJISIANA
DEPUTY WHIP
Armed Services
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Environment and Public Works
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
\lntted ~Ultts ~rnatŁ
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
July 24, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C.
HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
SUITE SH-516
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
(202) 22~623
FAX; (202) 228-5061
BATON ROUGE
858 CONVENTION STREET
BATON ROUGE, LA 70802
(225) 383-0331
FAX: (225) 383-0952
Website with E-Mail Access:
vilter.senate.gov
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chainnan
Federal Communications Commissions
445 12th Street SW, Room: 8-B201
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chainnan Genachowski:
I ask that you provide clarification regarding the ability of Non-Commercial Educational
(NCE) Public Interest Obligation (PIO) channels to air messages from sponsors.
I support the ability ofNCE PIO's to air limited messages offor-profit entities,
particularly when there is a direct correlation to the education, health, or religious aspects of the
underlying mission of the station and the content of their programming.
As you know, public broadcasters already air limited messages from for-profit entities
that sponsor numerous programs on their stations. I support the current practice of PBS affiliates
in this regard, but I believe the policy should be unifonn for all non-commercial stations.
Therefore, I am asking that the FCC ensure that all NCE PIO channels are afforded this same
opportunity, especially independent and religious programmers.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely, \ J,jLC>~~
David Vitter
U.S. Senator
(Xl
::D
ACADIANA ~ENTRALLOUISIANA
800 LAFAYETTE STREET ""30 SOUTH MACARTHUR DRIVE
SUITE 1200 0" SUITE 4
LAFAYETTE, LA 70501 1'-'0 ALEXANDRIA, LA 71301
(337) 262-6898 1':1 (318) 448-0169
FAX: (337) 262--6373 ~ FAX: (3181448-0189
§
NORTHEAST LOUiSiANA
1217 NORTH 19TH STREET
MONROE, LA 71201
(318) 325-8120
FAX: (318) 325-9165
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA
920 PIERREMONT ROAD
SUITE 113
SHREVEPORT, LA 71106
(318) 861-0437
FAX; (318) 861-4865
SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
2800 VETERANS BOULEVARD
SUITE 201
MnAIRIE, LA 70002
(504) 589-2753
FAX: (504) 589-2607
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
3221 RYAN STREET
SUITE E
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
(337) 436-0453
FAX: (337) 436-3163