[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43418-43419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16456]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[RM-10803]


Broadcasters' Services to Their Local Communities

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission will hold a Localism 
Task Force hearing in Monterey, California, on July 21, 2004. The 
purpose of the hearing is to gather information from consumers, 
industry, civic organizations, and others on broadcasters' service to 
their local communities. An important focus of the hearings is to 
gather information and to conduct outreach for the ongoing nationwide 
round of broadcast station license renewals.

DATES: The hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2004, from 6 
p.m. to 10 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Monterey Conference Center, 
Steinbeck Forum, Third Floor, located at One Portola Plaza, Monterey, 
California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Lockhart, Media Bureau, (202) 
418-7777.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
will hold a Localism Task Force hearing on the subject of broadcast 
localism, on July 21, 2004. Several FCC Commissioners will preside. The 
purpose of the hearing is to gather information from consumers, 
industry, civic organizations, and others on broadcasters' service to 
their local communities. An important focus of the hearings is to 
gather information and to conduct outreach for the ongoing nationwide 
round of broadcast station license renewals.

Parking

    Parking is available in the Custom House East and West public 
parking garages on Del Monte and Tyler Streets. More information about 
nearby parking (including hours of operation, directions, and rates) is 
available at http://www.monterey.org/parking/garages.html.

Admission Tickets

    To avoid the need for the public to line up for the hearing, the 
Task Force will distribute free, general admission tickets on a first-
come, first-served basis in advance of the hearing. A ticket guarantees 
admission to the hearing. One ticket will be issued to each person. To 
make it easy for members of the public to pick up an admission ticket, 
tickets will be available before, during and after regular business 
hours as follows:

Ticket Distribution Opportunity 1

    Date and Time: Monday, July 19, 2004, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.(two evenings 
before the hearing).
    Location: Steinbeck Forum Terrace (corner of Pacific Street & Del 
Monte Avenue, across from the Hotel Pacific), Monterey Conference 
Center, One Portola Plaza.
    Number of Tickets: 150 tickets will be available (approximately 40% 
of the public seating in the hearing room).

Ticket Distribution Opportunity 2

    Date and Time: Wednesday, July 21, 2004, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.(the day of 
the hearing).
    Location: Steinbeck Forum Terrace (corner of Pacific Street & Del 
Monte Avenue, across from the Hotel Pacific), Monterey Conference 
Center, One Portola Plaza.
    Number of Tickets: All remaining tickets will be available.
    Any tickets that remain after the close of the second distribution 
opportunity will be available when the hearing room is opened for 
seating, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Therefore, those who do not get a 
ticket beforehand may still request one at the hearing and will be 
admitted until the capacity of the hearing room is reached.

Format of Hearing

    The hearing will include panels of speakers, comprised of 
representatives of community and advocacy groups and broadcasters. The 
panels have been designed to be balanced and informative. As in past 
hearings, a substantial portion of the hearing will be dedicated to 
hearing from members of the public during an open microphone segment.

[[Page 43419]]

Open Microphone

    In order to ensure that all members of the public who wish to speak 
have an equal opportunity to do so, the Task Force will use a random 
method to select speakers during the open microphone session. Anyone 
who wishes to speak must draw a card with a ``Group Number'' pre-
printed on it (for example: ``Group 25''). There are a total of 10 
cards for each group. During the open microphone segment, the Task 
Force will randomly select group numbers and then display them on 
screens in the hearing room. If a person's group number is displayed, 
that person may proceed to the open microphone check-in area. An FCC 
staff member will then direct them to the microphone at the appropriate 
time. A public participation fact sheet containing these procedures, as 
well as additional details on participating in the open microphone 
segment and procedures for filing written comments, will be included in 
the information packet given to each person upon entering the hearing.

Translation, Captioning and Other Accommodations

    Simultaneous translation of the hearing will be provided in Spanish 
via wireless headsets. Open captioning and sign language interpreters 
will also be provided for this event. Other reasonable accommodations 
for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests 
should include a description of the accommodation needed, providing as 
much detail as possible, as well as contact information, should 
additional information be needed. Please make requests as early as 
possible. All requests will be accepted and every effort will be made 
to fulfill them, although timing considerations may make that 
impossible in some cases. Send requests via e-mail to [email protected], 
or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 
(voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).
    A live audiocast of the hearing will be available at the FCC's Web 
site at http://www.fcc.gov on a first-come, first-served basis. In 
addition, the hearing will be recorded, and the recording will be made 
available to the public. The public may also file comments or other 
documents with the Commission and should reference RM-10803. Filing 
instructions are provided at http://www.fcc.gov/localism/filing_instructions.doc.

Federal Communications Commission.
Royce D. Sherlock,
Chief, Industry Analysis Division, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 04-16456 Filed 7-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-U