The seal of the Federal Communications Fee hangs between two American flags; the FCC is urging broadcasters to air extra “patriotic” content material within the run-up to the nation’s 250th celebrations this summer season.
Mark Wilson/Getty Photographs
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Mark Wilson/Getty Photographs
The Federal Communications Fee (FCC) is urging broadcasters to air extra “patriotic, pro-America” content material in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In a assertion issued on Friday, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr described the “Pledge America Marketing campaign” as a method for broadcasters to align themselves with the Salute to America 250 Activity Power, the group created by President Trump to supervise the 250th anniversary celebrations on the federal stage.
Carr mentioned the nation’s broadcasters ought to use their nationwide attain and skill to tell and entertain audiences by upping programming that “celebrates the American journey and evokes its residents by highlighting the historic accomplishments of this nice nation from our founding by way of the Trump Administration right this moment.”
Bemoaning the decline of civics training throughout the nation, Carr cited the song-filled, animated youngsters’ ABC sequence Schoolhouse Rock! as a basic instance of the form of programming he’d prefer to see broadcasters do extra of. Created within the run-up to the nation’s two hundredth anniversary, Schoolhouse Rock! aired from 1973 to 84. It was revived within the Nineties, in addition to, in a direct-to-video format, the 2000s. Archived episodes are nonetheless obtainable through streamers equivalent to Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Archival information analysis carried out by NPR suggests the FCC issued no such pledge for patriotic broadcasting within the run-up to the 1976 bicentennial. NPR has reached out to the FCC for affirmation.
Carr’s ideas for right this moment’s broadcasters additionally embrace beginning every day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or the Pledge of Allegiance; introducing segments that spotlight “native websites of significance” to nationwide and regional historical past equivalent to Nationwide Park Service places; and airing works by canonical U.S. composers equivalent to John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Aaron Copland.
In accordance with the assertion, radio and TV organizations are below no obligation to take part within the FCC’s initiative. “Broadcasters can voluntarily select to point their dedication to the Pledge America Marketing campaign,” the company mentioned.
Varied TV and radio organizations have already been engaged on patriotic, history-focused initiatives marking the 250th anniversary — effectively forward of the “Pledge America Marketing campaign” announcement.
One notable instance is Ken Burns’ The American Revolution documentary sequence for PBS, which premiered in November. One of many largest broadcast media teams, Nexstar Media, which operates greater than 200 owned or accomplice stations in 116 markets, introduced choices associated to the anniversary, together with “My American Story.” A December press launch describes the manufacturing as “a year-long cross-platform marketing campaign celebrating the various voices and values that outline our nation because it approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the Republic.”
In the meantime, NPR’s protection contains the sequence America in Pursuit, which launched final month and may be heard on member stations across the nation. “250 years in the past, the Declaration of Independence boldly heralded the start of the USA of America — a brand new nation based on the democratic promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” the net sequence web page states. “NPR’s sequence America in Pursuit explores what that promise has meant and what it means right this moment.”
In response to a request for touch upon the FCC’s announcement, Sinclair Inc., a significant community TV group, mentioned it introduced in October the launch of “Wonderful America 250: From Neighborhood to Nation,” which it billed as a multi-platform celebration of American historical past, tradition, innovation and neighborhood spirit. “We honor and have fun America’s ongoing journey and stay up for persevering with to spotlight tales that make our nice nation distinctive,” mentioned Sinclair spokesperson Jessica Bellucci in an e mail to NPR.
E.W. Scripps, which owns greater than 60 native TV stations in over 40 markets, mentioned it is planning intensive programming tied to America’s 250th.
“Within the eight weeks main as much as July 4, Scripps native TV stations will produce compelling tales from their communities, informed by native reporters who dwell and work there,” Scripps spokesperson Becca McCarter informed NPR in an announcement. “These items will discover how the 250th celebrations are shaping native traditions, occasions and views.”
NPR will add responses from different broadcasters as they arrive in.
