TV: A Fundamental Right?

It started a year ago: I began seeing commercials for the "Transition to Digital," scheduled to occur February 17, 2009. My reaction to the first of the many commercials: "What the hell? Seriously, the government is subsidizing converter boxes at $40 a pop?"

Did I miss when access to TV became a fundamental right and warranted government protection? No? Then what's going on with this and what's more, why is the Obama transition team wasting their time with efforts to delay the switch to digital? I guess I can sort of see their logic. The prospect of cutting the television cord (literally) for millions of Americans, could piss off a lot of folks And what do pissed off people do when they can't change the channel? They complain, loudly.

While the logic may make sense as a political tactic, why should the federal government shell out $40 coupons for the converter boxes? Whose fault is it that you've had the same analog TV since 1969 or that you rely on slight adjustments to those wiry rabbit ears to watch your stories? Not the government.

Access to TV isn't a fundamental right. If you don't buy, or can't afford, a converter box, tough. Stop smoking that pack a day from now till February and you'll have the money to buy the box yourself, and you'll have a little less cancer to boot. If you want news, listen to the radio, buy a paper, go to the library and logon to the Internet. TV isn't the only source of news, in fact it's probably the wost source.

In 2005, Congress passed the law requiring all TV stations to broadcast in digital by February 2009. That's going on four years of prep time. It's absurd that they're not ready to transition now -- because not everyone with an analog set is equipped with a converter box and networks, with deep pockets, fear they'll lose viewers. February 17 is the advertised deadline, some among us would like to see Congress come in on time with a project now and again. Let's start with transitioning to digital TV.

Yet, the delay is understandable. Obama's team is weary of upsetting an otherwise passive portion of the population. Keep them plugged in and all is well.