Panel Finds Media Emergency Alert System Needs a Big Fix

摘要

Lack of coordination among state and local emergency agencies could hamper the use of the media-operated Emergency Alert System following a terrorist attack or environmental disaster, say members of an industry group charged with improving media outlets' ability to warn local communities. The Media Security and Reliability Council, formed last year at the behest of FCC Chairman Michael Powell, is expected to urge major upgrades to the EAS system as the central recommendation when its first report is issued in May. The council is chaired by Tribune Co. CEO Dennis FitzSimons and includes News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch and Disney head Michael Eisner. The council was charged with developing "best practices" for broadcast stations and cable systems to follow so that local communities receive up-to-the-minute information about emergencies.