NAB Embraces Carr’s ‘America 250’ Call-To-Action.

Scan the U.S. radio dial and you may hear Lee Greenwood or the American Brass Band’s version of the “Star Spangled Banner.” They are two of what Mediabase data shows are 44 different interpretations of the national anthem as station across the country have for decades been doing at least one of things FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggests broadcasters embrace as part of American’s 250th anniversary. And he encourages stations to let the FCC know they are taking part in the patriotic call-to-action with what programming the air to help America celebrate.

It may be unusual for the Federal Communications Commission to recommend what broadcasters put on the air. First Amendment concerns have long drawn a red line around content in agency decision-making. Nevertheless, Carr’s effort has the support of the National Association of Broadcasters, which itself has already been collecting some of what stations are doing for the semiquincentennial.

“NAB, alongside our thousands of local radio and television stations, looks forward to continuing our work to celebrate America 250 by telling the stories, highlighting the service and celebrating the traditions that define our nation in communities across the country,” spokeswoman Grace Whaley says. “We appreciate the FCC's recognition of the unique role free and local broadcasters play in bringing Americans together.”

At next month’s State Leadership Conference, NAB take the proverbial flag and run with the idea. The trade group will introduce a tool kit for stations that choose to participate, building on the work already underway. “We will roll out new spots and tools for stations that choose to participate, building on the work already underway to inform, engage and serve audiences across the country in celebrating this momentous milestone for our country,” Whaley says.

The NAB’s focus will helping to help stations tell America’s stories, while also encouraging volunteerism and public service. It sees that as a natural fit to the industry’s long-embraced core mission. Beyond covering America 250 events, which many stations are already doing, the aim is to provide resources for stations to participate in the celebration.

Carr cited radio and TV’s public interest obligations when he announced the voluntary effort Friday. He said broadcasters are uniquely positioned to help engage Americans with locally-tailored programming, and crediting features like “Schoolhouse Rock!” to helping improve civics in the past.

Carr says PSAs, short segments or even full specials promoting civic education or American history would help. As would including segments during regular news programming or airing music by American composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin. “I look forward to broadcasters showcasing its inspiring history by taking the Pledge and fulfilling their public interest mandate to serve the needs and interests of their local communities as the America’s 250th birthday celebration marches on,” Carr said.

The proposal has generated grumbling from some critics, who feel it runs too close to the line of telling stations what programming they should air. Commissioner Anna Gomez, who has accused the Trump administration of pressuring stations in violation of the First Amendment, also embraced the flag in her latest critique.

“Nothing is more American than defending our constitutional rights against those who would erode our civil liberties,” Gomez wrote in a post on social media. “If broadcasters choose to participate in this FCC campaign, they can do so by defending their First Amendment rights and refusing government interference.”