On Tuesday, FCC Chairman Bill Kennard sought to assure the broadcasters here, but also chided the industry for trying to derail the initiative. "Why in the midst of all this opportunity for broadcasters have you chosen to muster your considerable resources in Washington and around the country to deny churches and schools and community-based organizations just a little piece of the broadcast pie?'' Kennard said. He questioned why the group had "squandered its goodwill at the FCC'' in its battle against low-power.
Goodwill works both ways, said National Association of Broadcasters president Edward Fritts after Kennard's address. And turning to Congress for a tiebreak, "might be the way to resolve the interference issue.''
Legislation that would severely curtail the number of low-power stations the FCC could license already is winding through the House. Floor action could come this week.