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FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

arstechnica.com

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Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#121
post #73
post #62

When I was in sixth grade I found out (I am not sure how actually) that I didn’t have to say the pledge if I didn’t want to. I didn’t (and don’t) believe in God, and I didn’t believe in the “under God” part of the pledge, so I decided that I wouldn’t stand for the pledge anymore. This was an extremely conservative area, and so my teachers were very upset. I told them I don’t have to say the pledge if I don't want (an…

Are there really parents that would force their children to say it anyway? This feels like such a bizarre thing to have a fight over.

Absolutely. Children have been disowned and cut off for not following the faith of their families. Many parents take the "under God" part seriously.

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#122
post #79
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are there really parents that would force their children to say it anyway? This feels like such a bizarre thing to have a fight over.

No idea, but this was an overwhelmingly conservative part of Florida (Niceville, probably most famous for being where Matt Gaetz is from), so it wouldn't surprise me if some of the Southern Baptists or Pentacostals in the area would get their children in trouble over that. Even twenty-three years later, I'm still a little surprised that they sent me to the principal's office over it. It seems like it was a waste of e…

Well those pearls weren't going to clutch themselves, you know.

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#123
post #61

Fun fact: the Pledge of Allegiance was written by an avowed socialist [0] and was intended to counter the individualistic and capitalistic tendencies he saw in American culture. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bellamy

The original pledge was quite different, and indeed sounds more socialist: > I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Also, did you know children had to do a "Bellamy Salute" to the flag? That was removed during WW2 for obvious reasons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute

Wow; today I learned!!!

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#124
To be the contrarian, I actually don't mind a call for more patriotic programming to celebrate the USA's 250th. That makes sense. I definitely mind the slippery slope this precedent introduces. (Why not just keep doing this?) I'm also concerned that this letter is more of a "mandate" than a "call."

Regardless, Carr's letter searches hard for nostalgia. "Schoolhouse Rock" not being in syndication is eroding our nations educational strength according to him. This makes me wonder who this letter is really written for and how far-reaching they're "asking" content providers to take this.

Most Americans consume traditionally-broadcasted content through streaming platforms (Disney+ has Schoolhouse; the future of our kids is safe).and/or social media. Does Carr want Netflix to show the Pledge before every stream? The first stream of the day? Are they asking streaming providers to prioritize nationalistic programming in their recommendation algorithms outside of nationalistic holidays? Will they subsidize TV and movies for having a little more freedom in them? So many questions.

(All of this has been done before; I think there were pro-military Looney Tunes episodes back then these were shown in theaters, and the DoD does throw studios some cash to make the military look awesome and help full their recruitment pipeline.

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#125
post #5

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf

It takes quite a bit of chutzpah to lament that "classic programming such as Schoolhouse Rock! is now only found in online archives" when this same administration defunded the CPB, previously responsible for developing just that kind of educational content.

Schoolhouse was always aired by ABC, but your point stands. (Sesame Street and Fred Rogers wouldn't exist without the CPB.)

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#126

[flagged]

Every day at noon one of the radio stations in my city plays either the national anthem or America the Beautiful. I'm sure all 20 people still listening to FM radio hear it. I don't see a problem with it.

I would have a massive problem with someone like KEXP being forced to do this. Though I'm sure they would find a way of complying without complying.

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you believe that such a campaign would not exist under a President who is a Democrat? I’m sure it’s easy to assume that these questions aren’t in good faith. Of course I have a point of my own that I could make, but then we’d be arguing over that instead and I’m less interested in trying to speculate better than you than I’m curious about what you think on your own. So there isn’t any way that an administration le…

I suppose we'll have to see. Right now we have a Republican administration pushing it.

After some thought, a better question could be:

How might networks effectively satisfy this appeal from the FCC without drawing the ire of the current administration and its supporters?

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So how might a campaign such as this be advanced or advertised in ways that don’t infringe upon Democratic values?

By an earnest suggestion from an administration that respects the United States, our freedoms, and our institutions. Not an implicit threat from a wannabe dictator who hangs giant pictures of himself up on government buildings to glorify himself, throws vindictive hissy fits when he doesn't get his way, and rambles at length about how he hates most American values.

How could the current administration appropriately suggest—and how could any institution earnestly commemorate—a democracy with all things considered with respect to its present state?

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing mandatory, so no worries

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47095073

I’m a cynical person but this is a reach. There’s a huge gap between what this is and how I interpret “mandatory”. There’s nothing even punitive being discussed. They’re free to meet their public interest obligations the normal way as well and not participate in this. They could also participate in this in a rebellious way if they so pleased. “While we don’t agree with the FCC…. We do think this is an important milestone in our nation worth celebrating… not because the FCC told us to but because…” it’s not dictating anything particular in how the programming celebrates American just asking that they lean into it in some special way they deem appropriate.

> Broadcasters can voluntarily choose to indicate their commitment to the Pledge America Campaign and highlight their ongoing and relevant programming to their viewing and listening audiences.

Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

#130
post #124

To be the contrarian, I actually don't mind a call for more patriotic programming to celebrate the USA's 250th. That makes sense. I definitely mind the slippery slope this precedent introduces. (Why not just keep doing this?) I'm also concerned that this letter is more of a "mandate" than a "call." Regardless, Carr's letter searches hard for nostalgia. "Schoolhouse Rock" not being in syndication is eroding our nation…

> Does Carr want Netflix to show the Pledge before every stream? The first stream of the day? Are they asking streaming providers to prioritize nationalistic programming in their recommendation algorithms outside of nationalistic holidays? Will they subsidize TV and movies for having a little more freedom in them? So many questions.

These scenarios all seem imminent, their precedence not withstanding.

In a strange way this notice actually comes across as transparent, considering the thought that everything you described could be achieved without the public being informed of the cooperation between the state and media.

Tangentially, this entire thing could be a veiled notice to Netflix on how to curry the favor necessary to wrestle Warner Bros. away from the Ellisons.

Conspiratorially, I’ve read that a lot of production for TV/film is moving overseas and I can’t help but imagine these studios and sets being used for other purposes.

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