Writer's Guild suggests big-media funding for pubTV public affairs programs

The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has put forth an interesting idea: If the FCC allows more big media company mergers, it should require the companies to pay for public affairs programming on pubTV. The suggestion was part of WGAE's comments to the commission Thursday (July 8) during its quadrennial review of media ownership rules, according to Broadcasting & Cable. "[I]f media conglomerates insist on being permitted to consolidate their hold on the media marketplace, in exchange they can be required to contribute assets to public programming," said WGAE. The Guild represents thousands of TV writers, editors and producers in entertainment and news.

WAMU starts up broadcast as WRAU in Ocean City, Md.

WAMU, 88.5 FM in Washington, D.C., last week began broadcasting in Ocean City, Md., as WRAU 88.3 FM, Ocean City Today reported today (July 9). The new channel will carry WAMU's programming as well as local news, traffic and weather. Caryn Mathes, WAMU g.m., called WRAU "a great opportunity to build and grow the audience.”