DATE: October 7, 1997

ACTION: Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters, created pursuant to Executive Order 13038.

SUMMARY: The President established the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters (PIAC) to advise the Vice President on the public interest obligations of digital broadcasters. The Committee will study and recommend which public interest obligations should accompany broadcasters' receipt of digital television licenses. The President designated the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to provide secretariat services for the Committee.

AUTHORITY: Executive Order 13038, signed by President Clinton on March 11, 1997.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 1997 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and on Thursday, October 23, 1997 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Auditorium at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230. This location is subject to change. If the location changes, another Federal Register notice will be issued. Updates about the location of the meeting will also be available on the Advisory Committee's homepage at www.ntia.doc.gov/pubintadvcom/pubint.htm or you may call Karen Edwards at 202-482-1880.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Edwards, Designated Federal Officer and Telecommunications Policy Specialist, at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4716; 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.; Washington, DC 20230. Telephone: 202-482-1880; Fax: 202-482-8058; E-mail: piac@ntia.doc.gov.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please contact Paige Darden at the Office of Public Affairs, at 202-482-7002.

AGENDA:

Wednesday, October 22

Opening remarks
Announcement and introduction of members
Committee discussion of organization and structure
Briefings
Public comment period

Thursday, October 23

Remarks
Briefings

This agenda is subject to change. For an updated, more detailed agenda, please check the Advisory Committee homepage at www.ntia.doc.gov/pubintadvcom/pubint.htm.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The meeting will be open to the public, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Any member of the public requiring special services, such as sign language interpretation or other ancillary aids, should contact Karen Edwards at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting at 202-482-1880 or at piac@ntia.doc.gov. Please bring a form of picture identification such as a driver's license or passport for clearance into the building on the day of the meeting.

Any member of the public may submit written comments concerning the Committee's affairs at any time before or after the meeting. Comments should be submitted through electronic mail to piac@ntia.doc.gov (please use "Public Comment" as the subject line) or by letter addressed to the Committee at the address listed below (please place "Public Comment" on the bottom left of the envelope).

GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: The Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters welcomes public comments. In general, opportunities for oral comment will usually be limited to no more than five (5) minutes per speaker and no more than thirty (30) minutes total at meetings. Written comments received from the public may be mailed (if at least thirty-five (35) paper copies are submitted) or forwarded by email to the committee members prior to the meeting date. However, comments received too close to the meeting date will normally be provided to committee members at the meeting. Written comments received shortly after a meeting will be compiled and sent as briefing material prior to the next meeting.

OBTAINING MEETING MINUTES: Within thirty (30) days following the meeting, copies of the minutes of the meeting may be obtained over the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/pubintadvcom/pubint.htm, by phone request at 202-501-6195, or by written request to Karen Edwards; Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters; National Telecommunications and Information Administration; U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4716; 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W.; Washington, DC 20230.

Larry Irving,

Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information