"All this bill does is make children part of that public interest obligation," Ms. Charren said.

This was often because stations had a need to fulfill "public interest" obligations in order to maintain their broadcast licenses.

Broadcasters have long been required to disclose certain information as part of its public interest obligations.

Rather, Congress should require broadcasters to meet specific public interest obligations.

"We intend to make clear that these licenses will be issued subject to concrete and commensurate public interest obligations."

For its part, the industry disputes the notion that granting free political advertising time is a public interest obligation.

"The public interest obligations should be commensurate with these new opportunities."

If, for any reason, a government cannot meet its interest obligation, it is technically not insolvent but is "in default".

Senator Sanders has been a leader in the fight to stop media consolidation and return public interest obligations to broadcasters.

Debt continued to accumulate, though, as debtors failed even to cover their interest obligations.