In February 1959, following extensive informal inquiry, the FCC ordered (FCC 59-166) a broad public inquiry to examine in detail modern broadcasting industry “policies and practices” in the creation, production, selection and supervision of television programs. This inquiry (Docket No. 12782, pursuant to Sec. 403 of the Communications Act of 1934) was intended to provide a factual basis for the re-examination and re-evaluation of the regulatory pattern of the Act. Nine months later the inquiry was broadened (FCC 59-1136) to include all broadcast matter—programs and advertising—on radio and television. Public hearings were held involving networks, advertising agencies and representatives of many segments of the public including universities, churches, women's clubs and other organizations of national scope. On June 15, 1960, an Interim Report, “Responsibility for Broadcast Matter” was submitted to the Commission, and led to the Commission's Report and Statement of Policy (FCC 60-970, July 29, 1960) re-defining its policies with regard to station responsibility for broadcast matter. The inquiry has continued, with hearings held in Los Angeles in October of 1960, at which representatives of various components of the television film industry testified—or refused to testify. The overall purpose of the continuing inquiry was stated at the outset: “No attempt has previously been made to isolate and describe the multiple factors which, taken together, constitute the decisional process which results in television program selection. The Commission believes that the time has come when a penetrating examination of this process shall serve the public interest.”
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