NJBA Weekly Newsletter, Friday, October 26, 2007

NJBA Gets Major Changes in Sweepstakes Bill

The New Jersey Broadcasters Association, working very closely with the sponsors of bill A 2950, a bill that regulates the conducting of sweepstakes and other contests of chance in New Jersey has caused major revisions to be written into the bill to try and preclude problems from unintended consequences when broadcasters hold promotional contests and other types of contests and sweepstakes. The original reason the bill was written, was to protect residents from buying items they really did not want or need in order to enter to win a prize. One target was Publishers Clearing House, a magazine subscription firm that runs Million Dollar Sweepstakes. However, as the bill made its way through the legislative process, language was added that could impact on broadcasters’ abilities to conduct promotional contests.  As a result of NJBA’s legislative efforts, if the bill passes, broadcasters should see almost no changes to the way they conduct business. 

CBS Radio Restructures

CBS Radio announced this week a restructuring of its top level management team. The group will no longer have regional managers. The new setup will see the stations split into two groups, one overseen by CBS President Dan Mason and the other will be the province of Scott Herman, whose new title will be EVP/Operations. Herman is a longtime CBS Radio employee, joining the company when CBS purchased WINS, New York, where Herman was employed as General Manager.  

The Search Is On

A special search committee made up of members of the NJBA Board of Directors and chaired by Andy Santoro has invited all persons who believe they are qualified for the position as head of the NJBA to replace retiring President/CEO Philip Roberts to apply now. Roberts has given the board more than a year’s notice of his intention to retire. If you are interested, send a letter of interest along with your resume to Andy Santoro, Broadcast House, 348 Applegarth Road, Monroe, NJ 08831.  

The Fairness Doctrine Is Not Fair

Representatives Mike Pence of Indiana and Glen Walden of Oregon are sponsoring a bill that would permanently abolish the Fairness Doctrine.  Citing the fact that if the Doctrine is reinstated, most radio talk shows would have to go off the air.  This reinstatement would place major burdens on any broadcast station and cause a chilling effect over freedom of speech.  The Democrats have twice passed such legislation to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine but it was vetoed, both times, by President Bush.                                                                                                                                                                           

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