Recent CRS Reports

Recent CRS Reports:

• "LOCALISM": STATUTES AND RULES AFFECTING LOCAL PROGRAMMING ON BROADCAST, CABLE, AND SATELLITE TELEVISION
• TELEVISING SUPREME COURT AND OTHER FEDERAL COURT PROCEEDINGS: LEGISLATION AND ISSUES
• UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING: ISSUES FOR CONGRESS

"LOCALISM": STATUTES AND RULES AFFECTING LOCAL PROGRAMMING ON BROADCAST, CABLE, AND SATELLITE TELEVISION
CRS Publication Date:  10/19/2006
Author(s):  Charles B. Goldfarb, Resources, Science, and Industry Division
No. of Pages:  59
Document No.:  RL32641 

Abstract:  Each broadcast television license is assigned a community of license, in the form of a specific city. Most broadcast television stations viewing areas extend far beyond the borders of their city of license, and in many cases extend beyond state borders. The local broadcast television stations that each cable system must carry are determined by the Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA) in which the cable system is located. In the 1992 Cable Act, Congress amended the 1934 Communications Act to require, subject to certain exceptions, each cable system to carry the signals of all the local full power commercial television stations within the same television market as the cable system, with that market determined by commercial publications which delineate television markets based on viewing patterns.

TELEVISING SUPREME COURT AND OTHER FEDERAL COURT PROCEEDINGS: LEGISLATION AND ISSUES 
CRS Publication Date:  10/25/2006
Author(s):  Lorraine H. Tong, Government and Finance Division
No. of Pages:  21
Document No.:  RL33706

Abstract:  In the 109th Congress, four bills have been introduced - H.R. 2422, H.R. 4380, S. 829, and S. 1768 - to allow television or other electronic media coverage of federal court proceedings. Another bill, relating to court security - H.R. 1751 - was introduced without such a provision, but was later amended in committee to include electronic media coverage. Three of these bills, H.R. 1751, H.R. 2422, and S. 829, would grant discretionary authority to presiding judges to permit photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising of district and appellate court proceedings, including Supreme Court proceedings. Two other bills, S. 1768 and H.R. 4380, would require the televising of all open sessions of the Supreme Court only. The five bills are similar, or identical, to legislation introduced in previous Congresses since at least the 105th Congress. This report also discusses the arguments that have been presented by proponents and opponents of electronic media coverage of federal court proceedings, including the possible effect on judicial proceedings, separation of powers concerns, the purported educational value of such coverage, and possible security and privacy concerns. Finally, the report discuses the various options Congress may address as it considers legislation, including which courts should be covered, whether media coverage should be authorized or required, possible security and privacy safeguards, and the type of media coverage that would be permitted.

UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING: ISSUES FOR CONGRESS 
CRS Publication Date:  10/17/2006
Author(s):  Marjorie Ann Browne, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
No. of Pages:  38
Document No.:  RL33700 

Abstract:  A major issue facing the United Nations, the United States, and Congress is the extent to which the United Nations has the capacity to restore or keep the peace in the changing world environment. Associated with this issue is the expressed need for a reliable source of funding and other resources for peacekeeping and improved efficiencies of operation.

CRS Reports can be obtained from www.GalleryWatch.com. Individual reports are available from www.pennyhill.com [JH]