Trump Comments Threatening Media Outlets Mostly 'Bravado,' NAB's Smith Says

try to penalize media outlets over their content. Chairman Ajit Pai is “totally committed” to the First Amendment, Smith said. He also said he believes statements by FCC commissioners that broadcasters who miss their post-incentive auction repacking deadlines won’t be kicked off the air, but he said broadcasters will need Congress to provide additional repacking reimbursement funds. Broadcasters “have a lot to be thankful for” in the recent federal tax reform bill, especially since it doesn’t include proposed provisions that would have removed deductions for advertising revenue. Since broadcasters get most of their income from advertising, such a rule change would be a “real and present danger” to the industry, Smith said. A Microsoft push to have vacant channels in the TV band set aside for unlicensed use is “premature,” Smith said, and shouldn’t be taken up until after the repacking is complete. The NAB head declined to take a position on whether the FCC has the authority to change the national ownership cap, saying the association’s members are still debating the matter. Some elements of NAB support leaving the cap alone, while others want the limit raised or eliminated, Smith said. He also didn’t take a position on the pending Sinclair/Tribune merger, or net neutrality rules. NAB is “neutral on net neutrality,” he said.