• by David Kaplan , January 4, 2005

National Association of Broadcasters President Edward O. Fritts on Monday praised local television and radio stations for donating airtime for victims of the catastrophic South Asian tsunami that struck on December 26, as he urged all broadcasters to work with charitable organizations to raise funds for victim relief.

"This is a tragedy of epic proportions, and local broadcasters from coast to coast are responding with on-air appeals to help victims of this natural disaster," said Fritts. "Broadcasters have proven time and again our unique capacity for raising funds in a time of crisis. We salute local radio and television stations for their response to this monumental tragedy."

One local broadcaster heeding Fritts' call is NBC's New York flagship station, WNBC. The station will broadcast a telethon Wednesday night in conjunction with UNICEF, the aid organization that is participating in humanitarian relief efforts. The telethon will be simulcast on other NBC owned-and-operated stations, an NBC spokesman said.

The show will be hosted by WNBC personalities Chuck Scarborough and Sue Simmons, and will be shown on Jan. 5 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. E.S.T.