[EAS] FCC NPRM on improving EAS just issued

[Don Heppelmann]

Broadcasters need to be a bit more accepting and configure their box to "auto-forward". It's time for broadcasters to quite focusing on what is inappropriate, and let the system automatically pass along the emergency public information post haste.

If broadcasters are so paranoid for false alerts and to always require manual confirmation, then lives will be lost. Several precious minutes have already passed since the event start time just to publish and forward the alert, broadcasters shouldn't add to that latency. What is more important "dead air" or dead people?

Public Safety, Emergency Management, and NWS are the responsible parties to publish any alert and be held accountable for their action. Broadcasters need to TRUST the system, configure their box with appropriate alert codes and set for auto-forward. 

Don Heppelmann 

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This is where the virtual Red Envelope proposal for the EAN comes into the picture for EAN/EAT, and other compulsory messages----Validation.

To parallel a comment made by our GM years ago about airing the wrong or inappropriate content on a station, "It's better to have dead air than inappropriate content on the air."

Not airing an alert is better than airing one which is false. It is not particularly difficult to follow-up the missed alert on the air live. It is exceedingly difficult to counter a false alert once it's out since the "bell has been rung." BTDT....

MM