Public broadcasting plays a crucial role in lifelong learning in the information age. Like the public library, it is available to all Americans regardless of ability to pay, it is based in and responsive to the cities and towns and villages that make up the fabric of this country, and, in countless ways, it is helping users better understand and appreciate the world around them. Any reallocation of vacant, noncommercial allotments should be used to protect the substantial federal, state and local investment in the Public Broadcasting System. In a time of decreased Federal support for public broadcasting, these stations will be financially strapped when trying to make the costly transition to the digital format. The investment of the American public is at great risk.
LPTV stations serve small geographic areas across the country.
They serve diverse ethnic communities with programming in Spanish, Korean, and many other languages. The Commission requests comments on how to lessen the impact of the transition on LPTV stations. They serve communities that are often ignored by full-service television broadcast stations. They also represent the best gains we have made in minority media ownership. These are important benefits that should not be ignored.