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THE NEED
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NEW JERSEY'S
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Advocacy for Better Broadcast Media

The "airwaves" are the transmission frequencies used by radio, television and satellite broadcasters, cell phone companies, and others. The airwaves are public property. While some businesses (such as cell phone companies) pay for their use of the airwaves, radio and TV broadcasters generally do not.

In exchange for licenses granting them exclusive use of airwave frequencies, broadcasters are required to provide an appropriate level of public service. These services include providing programming that serves local communities, providing free airtime for political candidates and coverage of important issues, and other responsibilities generally described as "public interest obligations."

Too often, broadcasters do not live up to the social contract of their public interest obligations. When this happens the public is denied the benefit of its bargain from those who hold station licenses.

Voice for New Jersey advocates for better broadcast media coverage in New Jersey. Our efforts include raising awareness with civic and political leaders, as well as direct advocacy with broadcasters and their federal regulatory agency, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

FCC Holds Public Hearing in Newark to Address Concerns Raised in VNJ Petition

More than 100 people packed a lecture hall at Rutgers-Newark to speak out at a special Federal Communications Commission hearing on November 28, 2007. The FCC called this very unusual public hearing to address the renewal of broadcast license for WWOR-TV, Secaucus New Jersey (Channel 9). New Jersey residents spoke directly to the FCC Commissioners about the quality of broadcast media coverage that they receive.

The hearing was called at the urging of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg to address the issues raised in a Petition to Deny the License Renewal of WWOR-TV filed in May, 2007 by Voice for New Jersey (see below). A similar petition, addressing cross-ownership issues, was filed by the Office of Communication of United Church of Christ, Inc. and Rainbow/Push Coalition.

Senator Lautenberg's opening statement strongly supported Voice for New Jersey's petition. "We are here today because Channel 9 has failed in its responsibility to serve the people of New Jersey", said the Senator. "When you pick up your remote and turn to Channel 9, you are not getting sufficient information about New Jersey's neighborhoods, roads or schools"

"If the FCC renews Channel 9's license, it needs to get tough and make certain that New Jersey gets the news coverage it needs and deserves. The FCC must require Channel 9 to meet specific, measurable goals for its New Jersey coverage. WWOR must identify itself as a New Jersey station. It must devote a specific and substantial amount of air time each week to New Jersey news stories and events. It must document its New Jersey coverage in a separate FCC report, ….and it must keep its news department and production studios in New Jersey."

Donna Sandorse of Voice for New Jersey, Lew Leone of WWOR-TV, three other presenters, and 37 members of the general public also offered testimony. Please click on the links below to view media reports on this important event.



VNJ Files Petition to Deny License Renewal for WWOR-TV / My9NY

In May, 2007, Voice for New Jersey filed a Petition to Deny the License Renewal of WWOR-TV, Secaucus New Jersey. The Petition was filed with the FCC, and is based on WWOR-TV's failure to meet its public interest obligations to its community of license. Please visit our YOU CAN HELP page to learn how you can make yourself heard in this matter.

VNJ's petition is based on study prepared by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers Univerity, as well as an independent analysis of WWOR-TV's coverage of New Jersey issues by the members of VNJ. The petition notes the following with respect to WWOR-TV:

  • Election Coverage: WWOR ran only 13 election stories in the 30 days prior to the 2005 elections. 10 of these stories focused on the New Jersey election, and 9 of those 10 focused on the gubernatorial race. Accordingly, WWOR carried virtually NO COVERAGE OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS.

  • News Coverage: WWOR reported LESS THAN 10 HOURS OF TOTAL NEWS COVERAGE in its Issues and Programming Reports covering the first three quarters of 2006. A scant 2.66 hours (27%) was dedicated to New Jersey stories. By way of contrast, 4.72 hours of coverage was dedicated to New York stories-more than 77% more broadcast time.

  • Lack of New Jersey Focus: More than 20 years ago, WWOR-TV moved to New Jersey by means of enabling lesislation that mandated, in the words of Senator Bill Bradley, "a New Jersey station [not] in name only. It will serve the people of New Jersey". Despite this clear directive, WWOR-TV fails not only to meet its public interest obligations to the people of New Jersey, but turns its back on the state in terms of its identity. All of the stations recent branding, marketing and advertising has a distinct New York orientation.

More Information: A copy of VNJ's Petition to Deny License Renewal to WWOR-TV is available in.PDF format by clicking on the link below. A second link is provided to VNJ's press release giving a more detailed discussion of this matter.








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