Mission & History
Mission
The mission of the Alaska Broadcasters Association is to provide assistance which enables members to serve their communities of license through education, representation and advocacy. To that end, we recognize the following objectives of the Association:
- Improve broadcast services for the people of Alaska
- Promote and protect a favorable economic and regulatory climate for broadcasting
- Educate members and the public about the opportunities available and advances possible through the efforts of free, over-the-air broadcasting
- Enhance the application of new technology to benefit radio and television audiences
- Facilitate communication among broadcasters and others in allied fields
- Expand job opportunities in the field of broadcasting
- Encourage students to enter the profession through scholarships and educational programs
- Coordinate mutual efforts with educators and educational institutions to improve instruction available to prospective members of the profession
August “Augie” Hiebert
Pioneering Broadcaster & Community Service Advocate
December 4, 1916
to September 13, 2007
Courtesy of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Photographer Clark Mishler.
History
December 9, 1964
ABA was founded.
Meeting was called by letter to all stations from Northern Television’s President A.G. Hiebert, who was appointed temporary chair. Organizers included Al Bramstedt, Sr.; Matt Clapp; Miller Robertson; and Jay Perry of KFQD Anchorage; Bill Allen of KHAR Anchorage; Charles L. Buck of KLAM Cordova; Fred Lambert of KCAM Glennallen; Bill Martin of KNIK Anchorage; S Sgt William D. Wright of Elmendorf Air Force Base’s AFRS; and Charles Northrip of University of Alaska’s KUAC-FM Fairbanks. The eleven represented all five Alaska television outlets and 12 of the state’s 16 radio stations. The group appointed Anchorage attorney Ted Stevens to be their legal counsel and Secretary. A.G. Hiebert was unanimously elected first President, Chuck Buck was named Vice President and Al Bramstedt Secretary-Treasurer. Jay Perry and R.D. Jensen of Ketchikan’s KTKN and KATV-TV were named Directors.
1967
ABA brings Maj. Gen. George Sampson, Vice President of Operations for COMSAT, and FCC Chairman Rosel Hyde to Alaska. The construction of Bartlett Earth Station at Talkeetna was a direct result of this meeting.
December 1, 1969
ABA’s first major project was achieved with a 29% ACS tariff reduction.
July 1980
Under the leadership of Hank Hove, public stations joined the ABA.
September 1981
First “Alaska Day at the FCC.”
1981–1984
More than 600 people packed the Sheraton ballroom to see newsman Walter Cronkite following his 1982 retirement.
Senator Ted Stevens, ABA President Tom Busch, Augie Hiebert, and Alaska Public Broadcast Commission’s Herb Holeman led the battle to preserve AM broadcast coverage, resulting in the creation of a Class I-N FCC category just for Alaska.
1985
Broadcasters are inducted into the Hall of Fame, at the suggestion of ABA President Ron Moore.
1987
ABA President Ron Bradley begins a two-year battle for overpayments for Broadcasters Workers Compensation. In 1990, more than $800,000 was refunded to stations.
1995
ABA begins participating in the national NCSA program.
September 1996
Second Alaska Day at the FCC.
Early 1998
ABA hires Linda Simmons as its first full-time Executive Director.
1998
ABA joins the 49 other state associations in a three-year legal battle with the FCC over reporting and list-making requirements for EEO compliance.
2000
ABA brings the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program to Alaska.
June 2003
Walter Cronkite makes a return visit to Alaska to visit friend Augie Hiebert and has “dinner” with a few friends (250) at the Hilton Hotel. ABA presents Mr. Cronkite with the “Augie Hiebert Lifetime Achievement Award,” and Senator Ted Stevens presents Augie with a Senate Resolution. Senator Stevens was inducted into the ABA Hall of Fame.