March 14, 2003

Amber Alert Successful

Last weeks Amber Alert, utilizing the CAE Codes, was an outstanding success. The child was found safely. The abductor, the child’s father, heard his cars’ description on the radio causing him to stop his flight south.  Police considered the father armed and dangerous. Over the air Radio and TV performed excellently.    It seems the broadcasters, thanks to the very hard work of Tony Gervasi, Engineering Board member, have corrected many of the problems with the first alert. A number of stations have yet to respond to the survey sent out via fax from Tony.  If you have not responded, please do so today.  We must know if you can receive a CAE Alert.

 Free Political Ad Time????

Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, Bergen County, has introduced a bill in the Assembly, which will require public TV stations to give all 240 (at least) assembly candidates free advertising time. The fact that NJN does not have advertising time to give, is forbidden to sell commercials and is regulated on the federal level, not the state level, doesn’t seem to matter. NJBA is opposed to any taking of time by any political candidate regardless of whether the time is public broadcasting time or commercial broadcasting time. NJN carries all types of political discourse, both on a regularly scheduled weekly basis and during special election times.

 John Morris, New Lifetime Member NJBA

John J. Morris, owner of WIMG, Trenton, and one of the founders of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association was elected to the position of Life Member at the Board of Directors Meeting held this week.  Life Membership is conferred upon persons who have performed outstanding service to the New Jersey Broadcasting Industry and to the people of New Jersey. John Morris certainly exceeds this criteria.  His election was unanimous. The ranks of life members now stand at five.

 Last Day To File

Today is the last day to file an application for a new translator or modifications to existing translators. The FCC window opened on March 10^th. Translators permit FM stations to fill in the gaps within their coverage contours. If you have need to file, call your FCC attorney immediately.

Capitol Hill Assault

NJBA Chairman Robert McAllan and Executive Director Phil Roberts are traveling to Washington Monday to make calls on New Jersey’s members of Congress to present broadcasters points of view.   

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