CONVENTION NOTES

National Association of Broadcasters convention (Las Vegas): TV viewers want more national and international news, says one researcher. For a report from his conference presentation, see "Serious Times Call for Serious News." For notes on NAB president David Rehr's convention speech, see "Five Steps to Broadcast Success." National Association of Broadcasters convention page Radio-Television News Directors Association homepage American Society of Newspaper Editors conference (Seattle): For excerpts from former Los Angeles Times editor John Carroll's speech at the ASNE convention, see "Last Call at the ASNE Saloon." For excerpts from ASNE president Rick Rodriguez' convention speech, see "Guardians of the Soul of Newspapers." For ASNE convention updates, check out ASNE Reporter on the association's Web site.

The new president of the National Association of Broadcasters laid out five ideas this week for what broadcasters must do to ensure that they thrive in the future. Speaking at the annual NAB convention in Las Vegas, David Rehr challenged members to use their resources and power. His ideas were to: 

NAB David Rehr

1.) Exploit every technology. Rehr told broadcasters that every new device and gadget on the market is a potential vehicle through which content can be disseminated. "Broadcasters must move quickly to increase the number of distribution channels and platforms for our content. Our signals must go everywhere, to everyone, through every device." He predicted that business models, copyright and technology issues will "get worked out." Rehr said that new cell phones can also play radio stations and MP3 files. He urged broadcasters to find ways to deliver their content to every imaginable electronic device.

2.) Promote the benefits of digital radio and TV. Rehr said broadcasters can't rely on Congress for competitors and electronic store salesmen for explaining why the public should buy and use digital radios and TVs. In just three years, digital will replace analog signals, but "the majority of the American public still has a blank slate on what DTV truly means," he said.

3.) Enhance broadcasters’ leverage. Rehr predicted that "we will be compensated [by] cable [companies] for programming -- it is only a matter of time." That issue has been a central point of contention for more than a decade. Broadcasters want cable companies to pay for the signals that they pass along.

4.) Empower parents. Rehr said nothing about how broadcasters should clean the airwaves of smut and obscenities. Instead, he said broadcasters will spend $300 million in the coming year explaining to parents how they should control what their kids watch and listen to. "We have no objection to playing by the indecency rules," Rehr said. "But we have to know what they are. We need clearer guidance from the FCC and Congress on where the lines are drawn." Rehr said the FCC has spent too much energy focusing on the "stray, indecent slip-ups" on TV and radio.

5.) Become an advocate. Rehr attempted to encourage broadcasters to shy away from using the word lobbyist, and instead become activists for broadcasting causes. He went so far as to suggest that more broadcasters should run for office and donate to broadcasting PACs to influence elections and legislative policy.

"We must be evangelical about community service and community content," Rehr told the convention crowd. Rehr said that over-the-air free radio needs an "even playing field" to compete fairly with satellite radio. He called on the Federal Communications Commission to "pay attention to satellite radio indecency" in the same way it has cracked down on indecency over AM and FM radio airwaves. 

He declared that satellite radio's business model is "bankrupt," and said over-the-air broadcasters have a new chance to reach listeners through high-definition digital radio. "To our competitors, I say, 'We will beat you,'" he said. "Radio's history is one of meeting new competition head-on and coming out on top. That hasn't changed. All we seek is a level playing field."

Rehr told the NAB convention that broadcasters have been on the defensive too long. It was an unusually strong opening speech by the new association president who had no prior broadcast experience. Rehr came to the NAB position after lobbying for beer wholesalers. He follows Eddie Fritts in the presidential role. Fritts led the NAB for more than two decades.