Title Changing channels : the civil rights case that transformed television / Kay Mills

Published Jackson, Miss. : University Press of Mississippi, ©2004

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Description 1 online resource (313 pages) : illustrations Contents Seeking a voice -- Serving whose public interest? -- Enter Warren Burger -- The FCC hears no evil -- Once again, a verdict -- Exit Lamar Life, enter William Dilday -- The struggle for control -- National impact Summary "In the early years before the civil rights era, American broadcasting reflected the interests of the white mainstream, especially in the South. Today, the face of local television throughout the nation mirrors the diversity of the local populations." "The impetus for change began in 1964, when the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ and two black Mississippians, Aaron Henry and Reverend R.L.T. Smith, challenged the broadcasting license of WLBT, an NBC affiliate in Jackson, Mississippi. The lawsuit was the catalyst that would bring reform to American broadcasting." "This station in a city whose population was 40 percent black was charged with failure to give fair coverage to civil rights and to integration issues that were dominating the news. Among offenses cited by the black population were the cancellation of a network interview with the civil rights attorney Thurgood Marshall and editorializing against the integration of the University of Mississippi." "However, muscle, money, and a powerhouse Washington, D.C. law firm were on the side of the station. Despite the charges, the Federal Communications Commission twice renewed the station's license. Twice the challenges won appeals to the federal courts. Warren Burger, then a federal appeals court judge, wrote decisions on both challenges. The first ordered the FCC to allow public participation in its proceedings. The second, an unprecedented move, took the license from WLBT." "This well-told, deeply researched history of the case covers the legal battles over their more than fifteen years and reports the ultimate victory for civil rights. Aaron Henry, a black civil rights leader and one of the plaintiffs, became the station's chairman of the board. WLBT's new manager, William Dilday, was the first black person in the South to hold such a position." "Burger's decision on this Mississippi case had widescale repercussions, for it allowed community groups in other regions to challenge their stations and to negotiate for improved services and for the employment of minorities."--Jacket Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes English Print version record Subject United States. Federal Communications Commission -- Trials, litigation, etc WLBT (Television station : Jackson, Miss.) -- Trials, litigation, etc SUBJECT United States. Federal Communications Commission fast WLBT (Television station : Jackson, Miss.) fast Subject Television -- Law and legislation -- United States -- History -- 20th century Fairness doctrine (Broadcasting) -- United States -- History -- 20th century African Americans -- Civil rights -- History -- 20th century African Americans in television broadcasting -- History -- 20th century African Americans on television -- History -- 20th century Television -- Law and legislation -- United States -- History Fairness doctrine (Broadcasting) -- United States -- History Black people in television broadcasting -- Civil rights -- United States -- History Black people on television -- Civil rights -- United States -- History LAW -- Taxation. SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Discrimination & Race Relations. African Americans -- Civil rights African Americans in television broadcasting African Americans on television Fairness doctrine (Broadcasting) Television -- Law and legislation United States Genre/Form Trial and arbitral proceedings History Trials, litigation, etc. Trial and arbitral proceedings. Comptes rendus de procès et d'arbitrage. Form Electronic book ISBN 9781604736045 1604736046 1283434563 9781283434560 9786613434562 6613434566

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