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Hello Broadcasters!
In this week's issue, a special note from MAB Chairman Debbie Kenyon about the MAB's primary job: protecting you at the State and Federal level. A good read!
Also, EAS is discussed on Capitol Hill; news from around the state and some great pieces on radio from contributing authors Dick Taylor and Kevin Robinson.
Memorial Day Weekend is here! The MAB will be closed on Monday, May 29. Normal office hours resume Tuesday, May 30. Our next MAB News Briefs will be the week of June 5.
Have a great weekend.
Dan Kelley
Director of Technical Services
Digital Communications Manager
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 Busy Times for Broadcasters and the MAB
By: Debbie Kenyon, MAB Chairman and Senior VP/Market Manager, CBS Radio Detroit
This has been quite a year legislatively. There are attacks on FOIA, claims of "Fake News," Performance Royalty, National Ad Tax and the Spectrum Auction. The National Association of Broadcasters has done a terrific job keeping these issues at bay and we thank them.
Did you know that the NAB is the first to admit that they depend on strong state associations like the MAB to help with the grassroots lobbying efforts? A lawmaker trusts the NAB completely, but always wants to know, "What do my local broadcasters think about this?" Enter the MAB. Read more here...
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June 1: Annual EEO Public File Reports must in included in the station's public inspection files by this date.
June 1: Broadcast Mid-Term Report Due (FCC Form 397).
More information on both these filings is available here. |
 House Holds Hearing on Modernizing EAS
On May 20, Representative Greg Walden, (R-OR), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (and a former broadcaster), led a hearing on modernizing America's emergency alert system. Read more here...
Pai Proposes To Add Blue Alerts To EAS
On May 19,
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai
announced a proposal to add an alert option to the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS) to help protect our nation's law enforcement officers. Read more here...
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State of Michigan Legislative Update
Report Recommends FOIA Review
The State of Michigan Law Revision Commission is considering a report that recommends Legislative review of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The report does not include any recommended changes to the law, but, suggests the Legislature consider new definitions in the act based on recent court rulings.
Read more here...
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Federal/Congressional Update
Congressional Support to Maintain Tax Deductibility for Advertising
Over 100 members of Congress have voiced their opposition to changes in the tax deductibility treatment of advertising as expenses. The legislators sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), with Reps. Kevin Yoder (R-KS) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) as leading signatories, asking that they "maintain the current tax treatment of advertising as a fully and immediately deductible business expense."
Read more here...
 FCC Officially Starts Proceedings to Abolish Main Studio Rule and Review All Other Broadcast Rules
By: David Oxenford,
Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
As expected, at its monthly open meeting May 18, the FCC started two proceedings of particular importance to broadcasters. The first looks at the abolition of the main studio rules. The second asks for comments on all of the other rules affecting broadcasters and other media companies to see which are ripe for appeal.
Read more here...
FCC Outlines TV Translator Displacement Process
According to a post in
CommLawCenter
on the issue of displacement of TV Translators during the post-auction repacking process, the FCC has outlined how the displacement application process will work. Read more here...
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 WZZM-TV Wins Eclipse Award for Best Documentary
WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids) has won an
Eclipse Award for its September 2016 documentary "New Heights: Restoring a City." The special took viewers inside Muskegon Heights and the city's efforts to rebuild.
Read more here...
Beasley Names Heidi Raphael As Communications VP
Beasley Media Group has appointed Heidi Raphael as VP/Corporate Communications. Raphael most recently served as Senior VP/Corporate Communications at Greater Media. Read more here...
 WSGW's Ann Williams Named President of Michigan AP Media Editors
Alpha Media, Saginaw has announced that
WSGW News Director, Ann Williams was named
President of Michigan Associated Press Media Editors (APME).
Read more here...
National Radio Hall Of Fame Announces 2017 Nominees
The National Radio Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for its
Class of 2017, with 24 nominations in six categories.
Read more here...
WRIF Introduces "iPhone Stickers"
Detroit's WRIF-FM ("The Riff") is the first radio station to take advantage of Apple's new iOS stickers, with the release of the Dave & Chuck WRIF iPhone sticker pack, provided by jacapps, a Detroit-based application developer.
Read more here...
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New P1 Learning Training Course: Closing the Sale
Course Description: Tom Petty sang that "The waiting is the hardest part," but many of us feel that it's the closing. At closing, it can seem that you and your customer are pitted against each other, coming from opposite corners. But what if you took off the gloves and put on a different perspective, and role? The one of therapist, coach, or guide? What if you were just simply guiding them through a path to met needs and benefit realization? And it was almost as if you were giving them a "gift" in the close? This course shows you the way.
Click here to log in and watch this course...
Support: For questions, support or additional information please contact our amazing support team by email at
[email protected] or by phone at (888) 944-9377.
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 Radio's Best Feature
By: Dick Taylor,
Dick Taylor Blog
The one constant in life is change. What makes our world different than the world we grew up in is the rate of change in technology.
Read more here...
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 The Robinson Report - In Your Words
By: Kevin Robinson
Robinson Media
"No matter the format, the reason you must desire a career in radio is the chance everyday to keep someone company." -Susie Martin - WATZ-WRGZ
Read more quotes and Kevin's thoughts here...
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 9 Ways to Promote Your Radio Station's Mobile App
By: Seth Resler,
Jacobs Media Strategies
Smartphones are everywhere. In our latest Techsurvey, 87% of radio listeners report having a smartphone. 41% admit to being addicted to them. So, it's imperative that your radio station have an app to make itself available to listeners on their mobile phones.
Read more here...
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WRCJ and WKAR Join Forces for Classical Listeners
Thanks to a new partnership between radio stations WKAR-FM in East Lansing and WRCJ-FM in Detroit, classical music lovers in the capital region will be able to hear Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts live, and listeners in Detroit will be able to tune in concert performances from Michigan State University's College of Music.
Read more here...
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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 Capitol Communication Systems, Inc.
Capitol Communication Systems, Inc. (CCS) is one of MAB's exclusive Associate Member, offering broadcasters great products, with excellence service, and they support of the broadcasting industry. Please consider an MAB Associate Member before you make your next purchase.
Read more about CCS here...
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Subscribe to MAB News Briefs
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High school or college students interested in the broadcasting and media industry can now get a yearly membership for $15!
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Thanks for the Support of Our Associate Members!
Bell Media Inc.
Michael Murphy
Robert Ridder Broadcasting Consultants
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