Discussion of FCC, copyright, advertising and other legal issues of importance to radio and television broadcasters and other media companies
Principal Editor: David O’Connor
In a report issued last week, the Parent’s Television Council submits that there has been a significant increase in violent programming on television since 1998. The report contends that violent programming has increased, and become more graphic and more sensationalized. Will this report mark the beginning of a new attempt to regulate television programming?
The FCC…
Chairman Martin yesterday announced the appointment of a new Chief of the Media Bureau, the FCC Bureau which directly regulates broadcasters. The Media Bureau processes broadcast technical applications, approves sales of stations, and takes the first draft of most policy issues which affect broadcasters. Donna Gregg, who has held that position since 2005, is…
Two recent decisions show a stark divide in the approach of the Democratic and Republican FCC Commissioners which may indicate the difficulty of reaching consensus on any of the pressing issues which will be facing the FCC in this new year. The FCC decision on the AT&T acquisition of BellSouth, approved by FCC action on Friday…
This article is no longer available. For more information on this topic, see Big Fines for Public File Violation that Escalated
This article is no longer available. For more information on this topic, see Digital Television Takes Over in Less Than Two Years – Will the Public Be Ready?
This article is no longer available. For more information on this topic, see FCC Releases New EAS Manuals Explaining Obligations for Broadcasters and Video Providers
Until late 2004, Section 312(g) of the Communications Act provided that the license of any station that had been off the air for more than one year would automatically be forfeited. In December 2004, Congress amended the law, allowing the FCC discretion to reinstate such licenses "to promote equity and fairness." In a decision issued today…
In several recent actions, the FCC has imposed severe fines on broadcast licensees for operating auxiliary facilities without a license. These actions highlight the importance of insuring that your broadcast stations have all of the licenses that they need to operate the technical facilities that they are using.
In a decision issued today, the FCC fined a Regent radio station $7000 for failing to file a required form on a timely basis and for operating an FM translator station without authority. According to the decision, Regent had inadvertently failed to include the translator on the renewal application for the main station. Seven months later, it discovered the oversight, filed the renewal, and requested temporary authority to continue to operate the station. The Commission imposed a fine of $3000 for failing to timely file the renewal, and $4000 for operating for the 7 months without authority.
Two weeks ago, the FCC released another Notice of Apparent Liability, proposing a $6600 fine for the late filing of two renewal applications for earth stations used by a public television licensee. One renewal was filed about 2 months late, the second about 2 years late. The FCC again imposed fines both for the late-filing, and for the operation without authorizations for the operation during the period after the licenses had expired and before the late renewals and STA requests were submitted.Continue Reading FCC Gets Tough on Forgetful Licensees
This article is no longer available. For more information on this topic, see Looking Into the Crystal Ball – What Can Broadcasters Expect from Washington in 2010?
At its open meeting this morning, the FCC unanimously adopted a Report and Order streamlining the process of modifying the community of license for FM and AM stations. According to the comments at this morning’s meeting, and the Commisison’s News Release, the Order will do the following:
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