Reply Comments on August 22nd, opposing the FCC's tentative conclusion to eliminate the correspondence file from commercial broadcasters’ public file. The correspondence file consists of letters and emails from the public and "is by far one of the most informative parts of the public file because it continues to empower members of the community, and serves as an important source of information for those who want to hold their local broadcasters accountable." Several broadcasters filed comments, and all were in favor of eliminating the correspondence file, reasoning that the majority of interactions with members of the public occur through social media and that the file is burdensome to maintain. NHMC’s Reply Comments pointed to these arguments as inherently contradictory and emphasized that social media does not negate the need for a correspondence file. Latinos continue to suffer from a "disparate lack of internet access,” and “eliminating the correspondence folder would disempower those members of the broadcaster’s community of license." NHMC and other public interest organizations hope that the FCC preserves this vital resource as it continues to serve the public interest and allows the public a means to hold their local broadcasters accountable to their respective communities. To read NHMC's initial comments to the FCC, click here. To read NHMC's Reply Comments, click here.]]>
