Private International Broadcasting from the United States: Toward an Understanding of a Content Standard
Laura J. Holland · University of North Carolina School of Law Scholarship Repository (University of North Carolina Hospitals) · 1987
2 Early international radio communications were merely signals in Morse code.As time passed, the human voice was transmitted and eventually messages were broadcast in the native language of the receiving country.See generally D. BROWNE, INTERNATIONAL RA-DIO BROADCASTING, THE LIMITLESS MEDIUM (1982).3 VOA was created pursuant to the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, Pub.L. No. 80-402, 62 Stat.6 (codified as amended at 22 U.S.C. § § 1431-1480 (1982)) [hereinafter Smith-Mundt Act].The objectives of the Smith-Mundt Act were "to enable the Government of the United States to promote a better understanding of the United States in other countries, and to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries."Id. § 2. These objectives were to be achieved by creating "an information service to disseminate abroad information about the United States, its people, and policies promulgated by the Congress, the President, the Secretary of State, and other responsible officials of Government having to do with matters affecting foreign affairs .I..." Id. § 2(1).4 Currently there are nine private stations in operation.They include: KNLS in Anchor Point, Alaska; KYOI in Agingan Point, Saipan, Northern Marianna Islands; WRNO in New Orleans, Louisiana; KGEI in Redwood City, California; KFBS in Marpi, Saipan, Northern Marianna Islands; WYFR in Okeechokee, Florida; KTWR in Agana, Guam; WINB in Red Lion, Pennsylvania; and KCBI in Denton, Texas.In addition, there are nine new stations under construction.Two have construction permits on file with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and four have submitted requirements for future planned stations.Federal Communications Commission, Unofficial List of Mailing Addresses of FCC Licensed High Frequency Broadcast Stations (Oct.1985) (unpublished document); Personal interview with Charlie Breig, Supervisory Engineer for High Frequency Broadcasting at the FCC (Oct.22, 1985) [hereinafter Breig interview].If all 15 23 See infra note 25 and accompanying text.24 1912 Act, supra note 22, at § 15. 25 To fully understand the relationship between length of waves and the frequency on which they are transmitted see exhibit A, supra note 15.Anything transmitted on a wavelength of less than 200 meters is on the high frequency band.26 1912 Act, supra note 22, at § 4. 27 In 1912 amateurs viewed themselves as experimenters.Therefore, this provision was probably no more than a restatement of the obvious.The experimental classification, however, meant that these stations could not commercially profit from their broadcasts.Some authors consider this classification to have been a major handicap in the development of private international broadcasting.SeeJ.Redding, supra note 11, at 55-56, 70-76, 79, 81; infra notes 37-40 and accompanying text.28 1912 Act, supra note 22, at § 2. 29 "Radio power in times of war" has two separate meanings.In World War I the power of radio was in ship to shore communication and in dissemination of war reports.See generally E. BARNOUW, supra note 1, at 40 (calendar account of the duties of the radio operator);J.Redding, supra note 11, at 48.During World War II the power of radio was in propaganda.See generally C. ROLO, RADIO GOES TO WAR, THE FOURTH FRONT (1940) .See infra notes 67-73 and accompanying text.30 Pub.L. No. 65-1, ch. 1, 40 Stat. 1 (1917). J.Redding, supra note 11, at 57.The Navy took control of domestic as well as international stations.32 Id. at 48-49.agency, however, was replaced by the FCC in the 1934 Act.