Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 73.djvu/595

 73 S T A T. ]

PUBLIC LAW 86-274-SEPT. 14, 1959

of the Old Saint Joseph's Church property, such agreement to contain the usual and customary provisions for the protection and physical maintenance of such church property, without expense to the United States, in keeping with, but not as a part of the nearby Independence National Historical Park and providing for its continued use, without limitation or control, for customary church purposes. SEC. 2. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums, not exceeding $46,200 as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of section 1 of this Act. Approved September 14, 1959.

557

Appropriation.

Public Law 86-274 AN ACT To amend the Coiumunications Act of 1934 in order to provide that the equaltime provisions with respect to candidates for public office shall not apply to news and other similar programs.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 315(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 is amended by inserting at the end thereof the following sentences: "Appearance by a legally qualified candidate on any— "(1) bona fide newscast, "(2) bona fide news interview, " (3) bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news documentary), or "(4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including but not limited to political conventions and activities incidental thereto), shall not be deemed to be use of a broadcasting station within the meaning of this subsection. Nothing in the foregoing sentence shall be construed as relieving broadcasters, in connection with the presentation of newscasts, news interviews, news documentaries, and onthe-spot coverage of news events, from the obligation imposed upon them under this Act to operate in the public interest and to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance." SEC. 2. (a) The Congress declares its intention to reexamine from time to time the amendment to section 315(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 made by the first section of this Act, to ascertain whether such amendment has proved to be effective and practicable. (b) To assist the Congress in making its rexaminations of such amendment, the Federal Communications Commission shall include in each annual report it makes to Congress a statement setting forth (1) the information and data used by it in determining questions arising from or connected with such amendment, and (2) such recommendations as it deems necessary in the public interest. Approved September 14, 1959.

September 14, 1959 [S. 2424]

Communications Act, amendment. E q u a l time provisions. 66 Stat. 717. 47 USC 315.

66 Stat. 717. 47 USC 315.

Report to Congress.

�