NABOB Discontinues Support of Geotargeted Radio
The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters voted to discontinue NABOB’s support of the proposal to allow geotargeted radio, said an ex parte letter posted in docket 20-401 Monday. Some NABOB allies and members condemned the vote in a statement…
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released GeoBroadcast Solutions, including Roberts Radio CEO Steve Roberts and Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet President Robert Branson. “Clearly this action is yet another in a string of savage actions NAB has taken in the interest of its largest members,” said the statement, which also included National Newspaper Publishers Association CEO Benjamin Chavis and JAM Media CEO Jonathan Mason. Roberts is a founding member of NABOB, according to GBS. “We believe the FCC will recognize the source behind today’s action. The FCC should reject this cynical effort and keep its eye on the prize of enabling innovative technology to small and medium-sized broadcasters,” said the release. "This statement is preposterous," said an NAB spokesperson. "As GBS continues to rapidly lose supporters, it’s clear it’s looking for a scapegoat instead of at its own failure to convince any critical mass in the industry that its product is viable and would do anything to help broadcasters." "We have overwhelming support from minority broadcasters and are confident that the FCC will recognize that geo-targeting for broadcast radio is in the public interest," said a GBS spokesperson. NABOB had been among the most vocal advocates for the geotargeted radio proposal, and met with FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to advocate for the change as recently as Sept. 16. “Given the potential benefits to small, minority owned broadcasters as well as small businesses, and the advancement of localism, and our view that the record in this proceeding is complete, I urged the Commission to adopt the proposal as soon as possible,” wrote NABOB President Jim Winston in a Sept. 20 ex parte letter. Winston didn’t comment Monday. NABOB’s website doesn’t list its board membership. "It is unfortunate that the record in this proceeding has become polluted with so many over-the-top ad hominem attacks," wrote Branson in an ex parte letter filed Monday. "The pleading climate matters. Surely investors in massive and innovative new technologies must be wondering, as they observe this docket, 'do we really want to spend money on businesses that must face such an ugly and time-consuming gauntlet of disparagement at the FCC?'"