This article provides an excellent, extensive overview of the development of the localism principle in broadcasting, with a particular emphasis on a number of important court cases and FCC policy decisions (though the fact that this article was published in 1980 means that the last 25 years of policy history are not addressed). The article examines both the definition of localism and its underlying rationales. The author argues that policymakers need to place less emphasis on the geographical dimension of localism and more emphasis on servicing the needs and interests of the citizens within particular communities. Despite the age of this publication, it remains a valuable resource on the history and rationales of the localism principle in U.S. broadcasting.