Broadcasters are different from newspapers. They're different from just about any medium. They have been given a resource owned by the public. That resource, of course, is the airwaves. Ever since the advent of radio, the airwaves have been considered public property.
Broadcasters insist they do an excellent job of serving their communities.
They point to examples like the tornado coverage in Oklahoma last May, which they say they gave the public vital information that saved hundreds of lives. People are headed right into it, the silly fools. We've done a very good job of providing local community services, and therefore serving this public interest requirement. Robert Decherd, another Gore Commission member, is chief executive officer of A.H. Belo, a company that owns 18 television stations. The largest is WFAA in Dallas-Fort Worth.