Five prominent media reform organizations have taken Federal Communications Commission chair Kevin Martin to task for suggesting that digital (DTV) television's draw will be the wide variety of new channels available to consumers.

"We write today to say that we believe that the quality of DTV programming, not quantity of DTV programming could be the key to a successful digital television transition," the groups told the FCC on Friday October 19th. They include the Benton Foundation, Common Cause, Communication Service for the Deaf, Free Press, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Martin spoke before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on October 17th on the analog to digital, or DTV, transition. All TV broadcasters must convert to digital transmission after February 17th, 2009, leaving an estimated 21 million American households with useless analog TV sets.

The FCC is leading a broad effort to educate the public on the need to convert to digital reception before 2/17/2009. Martin told the committee that the government should accentuate the positive.

"What if instead the message to consumers was, 'If you get a new digital television or a converter box, you will be able to watch a wide array of new free programming'?" Martin explained. "Then what was a burden for consumers becomes a meaningful benefit. The opportunity to enjoy more programming choices would give consumers an actual incentive to be excited about adopting digital technology."

But media reform groups have long argued that the ability of digital broadcasters to split their signal into multiple channels should come with public interest strings attached, mandated by the FCC.

"Multicasting on local cable systems could be the great DTV benefit for US consumers," the five groups write, "if broadcasters will better serve the basic needs of their local audiences—not only for children, where the FCC has unanimously supported new rules for DTV, but for everyone with increased local news, electoral and public affairs; more diverse programming for minorities and women; strengthened disability access; and necessary information in times of emergency."

The FCC has yet to resolve the difficult question of to what degree it should establish "must-carry" rules for local cable providers, requiring them to carry all the new digital TV sub-channels. Lobbyists for the cable industry say no. Broadcasting groups and TV networks say yes. Media reform groups also say yes—if the must-carry mandate comes with requirements for local, public safety, and disability access programming.

"We urge the Commission to issue clear, concrete guidelines on this subject, and to provide notice to regulated entities and the public regarding how broadcasters will continue to fulfill their public interests obligations in the digital age," the filing concludes.