FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:

July 9, 2004 Richard Diamond (202) 418-0506

Meribeth McCarrick (202) 418-0654

**FCC LOCALISM TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES TICKETING AND OPEN MICROPHONE
PROCEDURES TO FACILITATE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BROADCAST LOCALISM
HEARING IN MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA**

> **RM-10803**

Washington, D.C. -- Today the Federal Communications Commission's
Localism Task Force announces further details about its fourth broadcast
localism hearing to facilitate public participation. The purpose of
these hearings is to gather information from consumers, industry, civic
organizations, and others on broadcasters' service to their local
communities. An important focus of the hearings will be to gather
information and to conduct outreach for the ongoing nationwide round of
broadcast station license renewals.

The date, time, and location of the fourth hearing are:

**Date: July 21, 2004**

**Time: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.**

**Place: Monterey Conference Center**

**Steinbeck Forum, Third Floor**

**One Portola Plaza**

**Monterey, California 93940**

**[Parking]{.underline}**

Parking is available in the Custom House East and West public parking
garages on Del Monte and Tyler Streets. Please see the attached document
entitled "Monterey Conference Center Location and Parking" for
directions to the center, a map of its location, and some nearby parking
facilities. More information about nearby parking (including hours of
operation, directions, and rates) is also available at
[www.monterey.org/parking/garages.html](http://www.monterey.org/parking/garages.html).

**[Admission Tickets]{.underline}**

To avoid the need for the public to line up for the hearing, the Task
Force will distribute free, general admission tickets on a first-come,
first-served basis in advance of the hearing. A ticket guarantees
admission to the hearing. One ticket will be issued to each person. To
make it easy for members of the public to pick up an admission ticket,
tickets will be available before, during and after regular business
hours as follows:

***Ticket Distribution Opportunity #1:***

> Date and Time: Monday, July 19, 2004, 6:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.
>
> (two evenings before the hearing)
>
> Location: Steinbeck Forum Terrace (corner of Pacific Street & Del
> Monte Avenue, across from the Hotel Pacific), Monterey Conference
> Center, One Portola Plaza
>
> Number of Tickets: 150 tickets will be available (approximately 40% of
> the public seating in the hearing room)
>
> ***Ticket Distribution Opportunity #2:***
>
> Date and Time: Wednesday, July 21, 2004, 7:00 a.m.1:00 p.m.
>
> (the day of the hearing)
>
> Location: Steinbeck Forum Terrace (corner of Pacific Street & Del
> Monte Avenue, across from the Hotel Pacific), Monterey Conference
> Center, One Portola Plaza
>
> Number of Tickets: All remaining tickets will be available

Any tickets that remain after the close of the second distribution
opportunity will be available when the hearing room is opened for
seating, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Therefore, those who do not get a
ticket beforehand may still request one at the hearing and will be
admitted until the capacity of the hearing room is reached.

**[Format of Hearing]{.underline}**

The hearing will include panels of speakers, comprised of
representatives of community and advocacy groups and broadcasters. The
panels have been designed to be balanced and informative. As in past
hearings, a substantial portion of the hearing will be dedicated to
hearing from members of the public during an open microphone segment.

**[Open Microphone]{.underline}**

In order to ensure that all members of the public who wish to speak have
an equal opportunity to do so, the Task Force will use a random method
to select speakers during the open microphone session. Anyone who wishes
to speak must draw a card with a "Group Number" pre-printed on it (for
example: "Group 25"). There are a total of 10 cards for each group.
During the open microphone segment, the Task Force will randomly select
group numbers and then display them on screens in the hearing room. If a
person's group number is displayed, that person may proceed to the open
microphone check-in area. An FCC staff member will then direct them to
the microphone at the appropriate time. These procedures, as well as
additional details on participating in the open microphone segment and
procedures for filing written comments, are provided in the attached
document regarding public participation. This public participation fact
sheet will also be included in the information packet given to each
person upon entering the hearing.

To further assist members of the public in participating in the Monterey
hearing, the Task Force has also prepared two background documents, the
attached fact sheet about broadcast localism, and a list of five
questions that the public might consider as they listen to the hearing
and formulate their remarks. This background material will also be
included in the public packets provided to all who attend the hearing.

**[Translation, Captioning and Other Accommodations]{.underline}**

Simultaneous translation of the hearing will be provided in Spanish via
wireless headsets. Open captioning will also be provided for this event.
Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are
available upon request. Requests should include a description of the
accommodation needed, providing as much detail as possible, as well as
contact information, should additional information be needed. Please
make requests as early as possible. All requests will be accepted and
every effort will be made to fulfill them, although timing
considerations may make that impossible in some cases. Send requests via
e-mail to <fcc504@fcc.gov>, or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau:

> For sign language interpreters, CART, and other reasonable
> accommodations: 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
>
> For accessible format materials (Braille, large print, electronic
> files, and audio format): 202-418-0531 (voice), 202-418-7365 (TTY).

A live audiocast of the hearing will be available at the FCC's website
at [www.fcc.gov](http://www.fcc.gov/) on a first-come, first-served
basis. In addition, the hearing will be recorded, and the recording will
be made available to the public. The public may also file comments or
other documents with the Commission and should reference RM-10803.
Filing instructions are provided at
[http://www.fcc.gov/localism/filing_instructions.doc]{.underline}.

For additional information about the hearing or the Localism Task Force,
please visit the Task Force's website at <http://www.fcc.gov/localism>,
or contact the Task Force directly at 202-418-7777, or at
<localism@fcc.gov>. Press inquiries should be directed to Richard
Diamond at 202-418-0506, or Meribeth McCarrick at 202-418-0654.

\-- FCC \--