I also am pleased that the Commission's decision today requires the largest video programming providers to use real time captioning to meet our benchmark requirements. However, because many of these providers may be able to meet these requirements without counting their news programming, I want to stress that I believe that news can and should be captioned regardless of whether the benchmark requirements have been met. After all, television news programming is vital for the dissemination of information to all Americans. Through this information, we participate in our communities and make decisions that affect our lives. We learn what is going on in the world, our country, our home towns.
News is essential to the democratic process and to being part of an informed electorate.
Alternative sources of information do not provide the immediacy of television. Therefore, I urge video programming providers to give news programming the highest priority when allocating resources for captioning. Beyond general and routine news programming, I am particularly concerned about the lack of information for persons with hearing disabilities in emergency situations where life and safety issues are involved and immediate action may be necessary. This is an issue that was recognized in the Report and Order and is being considered in a separate proceeding. I expect that the Commission will consider appropriate action in the next few months.