Former Ore. Sen. Smith to head broadcasters group

Former Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith was named on Friday to lead the National Association of Broadcasters.

Smith, a Republican, represented Oregon for two terms before losing his Senate seat to Democrat Jeff Merkley last year. He served on the Senate Commerce Committee, which handles broadcast-related legislation.

He will start as president and CEO of the broadcasting trade group Nov. 1, replacing David Rehr, who stepped down last spring after three years in the post, the association said.

The group represents about 7,500 local TV and radio stations, as well as the major broadcast networks.

Smith, who has been rumored as a possible candidate for Oregon governor next year, said he will stay out of politics for the time being.

"The only cure for political ambition is embalming fluid," he joked, adding: "My politics now are to advance the interests of radio and TV broadcasters."

Smith, 57, said the transition to digital TV is largely completed but remains a concern for broadcasters. He said the group also will seek to prevent reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, which required holders of broadcast licenses to present controversial issues in a balanced way.

And the broadcasters will keep fighting proposals to require radio stations to pay musicians royalties similar to those paid to songwriters.

The musicFIRST Coalition, which has battled radio stations over the royalties issue, issued a statement congratulating Smith and calling him "a champion of the rights of artists and creators" in the Senate.

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On the Net:

National Association of Broadcasters: http://www.nab.org

musicFIRST coalition: http://www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org