Ernest A. Hakanen

Bio: Ernest A. Hakanen is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Commercial broadcasting & Deregulation. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 13 citations.

In the Public Interest? The State of Local Television Programming Fifteen Years after Deregulation

Abstract: The authors' research tests the assertion that deregulation of broadcasting has caused a decline in the amount of local non–news programming produced by commercial television stations. Locally produced programming from stations in three markets was analyzed for the years 1976 (before deregulation), 1985 (during deregulation), and 1997. The markets were selected to give a broad representation of market size. Local programlistings were taken fromsystematically selected back issues of TV Guide to formconstructed weeks for analysis. The number of public affairs programs airing in the markets has declined. There was also a significant decrease in the number of hour-long programs aired and a significant relationship across all markets between the year studied and the days of the week on which a programaired. The analysis suggests that stations have not maintained their commitment to local public affairs programming. A recent Gore Commission report adds relevance to these findings.

The growth of TV news, the demise of the journalism profession

Abstract: In response to the dearth of critical literature on the transformation of local news ownership structure and the impacts of technological reorganization of news production on the television profession and local communities, we analyze the consolidation of local news and the paradox of expanded news hours in times of shrinking staffs and less-trusting audiences. Focused on Portland, Oregon, characterized as one of America’s most civically active cities and a top-25 market, we interviewed many key workers from among the city’s four television newsrooms. Despite having union representation, once discrete news production professionals and functions have been radically integrated, resulting in a multitasked news staff forced to provide fast-turnaround for multiple platforms, while seriously weakening investigative reporting, the quality of news production, and the utility of local news for the community.

Market competition, station ownership, and Local public affairs programming on broadcast television

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between competitive conditions in television markets, ownership characteristics, and commercial broadcast television station provision of local public affairs programming. The results from an analysis of a random sample of 285 fullpower television stations showed that half of the stations in the sample did not air any local public affairs programming during the 2-week sample period. Among the study’s other findings are that competitive conditions and station financial resources do not necessarily increase the provision of local public affairs programming and that ownership characteristics bear little meaningful relationship to local public affairs programming provision. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2006.00320.x In the U.S. system of broadcast regulation, the provision of locally produced informational programming traditionally has been considered an important component of a station’s fulfillment of its obligation to serve the public interest (Federal Communications Commission [FCC], 1999b), with informational programming generally defined as local news and public affairs programming. It is through the provision of such programming that stations are able to serve the informational needs and interests of their local communities. This localism principle refers to media policy makers’ long-standing commitment to assuring that media services effectively serve and reflect the needs and interests of local communities—as opposed to having a primarily national or regional orientation in the services that they provide (FCC, 2004). The manifestation of this principle at one point took the form of specific FCC-imposed requirements for minimum levels of local news and public affairs programming (FCC, 1976). The FCC traditionally has operated under separate definitions of news and local public affairs programming. The commission has defined public affairs programming (the focus of this analysis) as ‘‘programs dealing with local, state, regional, national or

Consolidation and News Content: How Broadcast Ownership Policy Impacts Local Television News and the Public Interests

Abstract: In 1999, the Federal Communications Commission changed the Local Television Ownership Rule, allowing a single company to own two television stations in the same media market. The new rules led to t...

Duopoly Ownership and Local Informational Programming on Broadcast Television: Before–After Comparisons

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between duopoly ownership structure and the supply of local news and public affairs programming in the local television market. The results show that both duopoly stations and non-duopoly stations significantly increased their local news programming from 1997 to 2003. The increases were attributable to the top four stations in each market. In addition, stations did not increase their efforts in local public affairs programming after becoming duopolies. The study also found that there was no significant difference in the amount of local news or local public affairs programming aired by duopoly and non-duopoly stations.