National Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade organization founded in 1922 that serves as a primary representative for television and radio station owners in the United States. Originally created to address issues such as royalty payments for music played on the air, NAB has evolved into a significant lobbying entity, advocating for broadcasters' interests before Congress. Throughout its history, the organization has supported self-regulation among its members, particularly in response to government regulation of the broadcasting industry. NAB has championed a trusteeship model of broadcasting, emphasizing the responsibility of stations as public trustees rather than solely for-profit businesses. The organization has a history of opposing measures that would increase competition in the media landscape, focusing instead on protecting the rights and economic interests of existing broadcasters. Additionally, NAB maintains the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, recognizing notable figures in radio and television, and publishes essential resources for broadcasting professionals. Through these efforts, NAB plays a crucial role in shaping the policies and practices of the U.S. broadcasting industry.
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National Association of Broadcasters
- FOUNDED: 1922
- TYPE OF ORGANIZATION: Trade organization for American television and radio station owners
- SIGNIFICANCE: NAB originally promoted self-regulation among its members, but later turned to lobby Congress for government help
Since its founding, NAB has been the primary trade association for U.S. radio and television stations. It was organized in 1923 to combat demands that radio stations pay royalties for on-the-air use of music. Although NAB failed to prevent stations from having to pay royalties, the organization remained a powerful industry voice.
Signal interference among early radio stations led broadcasters to call for government regulation in the 1920s and 1930s. The government regulation came, and later, NAB began to lobby Congress for repeal of government regulation. Broadcasting regulation has been based on a trusteeship model—a station was not merely a for-profit business, it operated as a public trustee. NAB championed the trusteeship model through its code of ethics and standards of commercial practice.
Where threat of government regulation exists, NAB has reacted by advocating self-regulation. In the 1970s, NAB television members adopted a family viewing time policy rather than have Congress impose television programming rules. Though self-regulation may be preferred to government regulation, either action can prohibit broadcasters from airing programming they wish to carry.
The voluntary NAB code was abolished after a federal district court ruled that the code’s advertising time limits constituted a restraint of trade, a form of economic censorship. NAB typically opposes proposals to increase media competition by creating more radio or television stations or expanding cable television services. NAB has supported regulations that expand the ownership rights of existing station owners—obligatory censorship results from NAB's opposition to communications proposals that increase the number of broadcast stations.
NAB has increased its lobbying to protect broadcasters from cable, direct broadcast satellites (DBS), and telephone competition. Such lobbying protects the economic interests of broadcasters but seldom promotes better programming for viewers or more programming choices.
The NAB also maintains a NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, which inducts one radio personality or program and one television star or show each year. It also publishes several helpful manuals for broadcasting professionals, such as the National Association of Broadcasters Engineering Handbook (2018). Some states have associations of broadcasters that serve similar functions as the national organization with consideration of the individual needs of broadcasters in that area, such as Georgia's Association of Broadcasters.
Bibliography
"About Us." National Association of Broadcasters, www.nab.org/about/default.asp. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
Benz, Jean, et al. NAB Legal Guide to Broadcast Law and Regulation. 6th ed., Focal Press, 2015.
"Legislative and Regulatory Issues." National Association of Broadcasters, www.nab.org/advocacy/issues.asp. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
National Association of Broadcasters. National Association of Broadcasters Engineering Handbook, edited by Garrison C. Cavell, 11th ed., Routledge, 2018. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1555159. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.