The Federal Communications Commission should withhold new regulatory benefits for broadcasters until TV stations promise to air more public-interest programming, according to a coalition of consumer groups and political activists. In a statement Tuesday, the coalition argued that any effort by the FCC to expand cable-system carriage obligations for TV stations should come after the agency has adopted specific measures that TV stations would need to follow to keep their licenses.

The group voiced support, for example, for setting aside 90 minutes per week -- at least one-half occurring between 5 p.m.-11:35 p.m. -- for expanded coverage of local political and election issues, in addition to normal "horse-race" coverage of politics. The coalition also called for more educational programming for children.

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