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Rules? What Rules?

Rules? What Rules?. Top 10 FCC Compliance Errors Every College Broadcast Station Should Avoid. Joseph C. Chautin, III, Esq. Top 10 Mistakes. Forget About Your Public Inspection File File Your License Renewal Application Late Improperly Complete Your License Renewal Application

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Rules? What Rules?

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  1. Rules? What Rules? Top 10 FCC Compliance Errors Every College Broadcast Station Should Avoid Joseph C. Chautin, III, Esq.

  2. Top 10 Mistakes • Forget About Your Public Inspection File • File Your License Renewal Application Late • Improperly Complete Your License Renewal Application • Run Commercials On A Noncommercial Station • Ignore Correspondence From the FCC • Fail to Complete/File Regular Reports • Allow Broadcast of Indecent/Obscene Material • Fail to Cooperate During FCC Inspection • Provide False Information To FCC • Be Unfamiliar With William Penn Policy Statement

  3. Forget Public Inspection File • Maintain at main studio • Accessible during normal business hours • Check it periodically • Use a Checklist – license, coverage map, quarterly issues/programs list, ownership reports, EEO reports, donor lists, comments from public • No. 1 source of FCC fines

  4. Filing Renewal Application Late • Look at License Expiration Date • That is NOT the date to file for renewal • Must electronically file four months prior to expiration date • Must start pre-filing annc six months prior to expiration • Late Filing • Admonishment for up to 11 days late • $$ Fine for anything longer • Very Common Error • Easy to Avoid

  5. Improperly Answer Renewal Questions • No. 1 Rule – never carelessly or falsely answer any question on the application • Read instructions and form/questions • Certification Style Questions • Apply to entire 8 year period • Always filed ownership reports? • Always timely placed items in public file? • Fine or notice of violation? • Answer “NO” and explain if problem • Explanation should take “deminimus” approach • Amend if you discover error

  6. Run Commercials on NCE Station • Noncom stations may not promote for-profits in exchange for remuneration (broad meaning) • Years of decisions; difficult to parse • May acknowledge donations from a for-profit in neutral, factual announcement • No comparative or qualitative language • Must describe without promoting • No price, no calls-to-action, no inducements • Fundraising for licensee’s other business interests • Watch sporting events that include commercials • Fines are substantial; consent decrees now more common

  7. Ignore FCC Correspondence • If the FCC sends something to your station by snail mail, it is important • Read it and take action required • Biggest problem – station never receives it • Wrong address in CDBS online filing system • Also, large campus ops lose or misdirect mail • Large Fines Can Result, Even Loss of Rights • Recent Case

  8. Fail to File Regular Reports • Several FCC reporting obligations for Radio • Filed with the FCC • Biennial Ownership Reports (odd years; renewal app) • License Renewal (every 8 years) • Not Filed with the FCC • EEO public file reports (annually if no. employees) • Issues/programs lists (4/10, 7/10, 10/10, 1/10) • Donor lists (ongoing) • TV also has children’s TV reporting obligations • Quarterly; varies depending on commercial/noncom status • Errors always show up at renewal time

  9. Allow Broadcast of Indecent Material • On-Air Talent Language and Music Lyrics • Train talent and screen content (no matter how labeled) • Indecent material and profane language prohibited from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm daily; obscenity never • Indecency: language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities. • Janet Jackson backlash and backlog • Fines increased by Congress • US Supreme Court cases • FCC “Fleeting” Inquiry – hint that fleeting profanity would not violate Communications Act

  10. Fail to Cooperate During FCC Inspection • Happens Rarely, but very very important • Cooperation can mean the difference between fine or leniency • Ask for identification; do not turn inspector away • If you don’t know the answer, get manager or advisor • Respond only to what you are asked for/about • Get contact info and follow up on an discrepancy or unanswered question • Fix anything on the spot that can be fixed • After – nothing, notice of violation (NOV), notice of apparent liability (NAL) • EAS, Public File, Operating Power, Tower are Hot Items

  11. Provide False Information to FCC • FCC has power to put station license in hearing • Determines if licensee is fit to remain licensee • Applies in all written and verbal communications • Reports • Inspections • Public File • Employee Actions Imputed to Licensee • How Do They Find Out? • Current or former employees • Want to do the right thing • Disgruntled • Personal axe to grind

  12. William Penn Univ Policy Change • May 2013 FCC Policy Change • Missing quarterly & ownership reports • Consent Decree in lieu of large fine • 3 year operating conditions; $2500 fine • New Student-Run Station Policy • Limited Circumstances • Primarily student-run NCE stations (500) • Limited budget = inability to pay • Staff turnover = increased chance for errors • Big fine could force station off the air

  13. William Penn Univ Policy Cont’d • Only applies to paperwork errors • Ownshp reports, qtrly issues, filing annc • Does not apply to contest, indecency, underwriting, or technical rules • Students must fill all positions except for faculty advisor • FCC will notify station of violation and present consent decree and smaller fine • Only available to first-time offenders • Significant change, but narrow criteria

  14. Rules? What Rules? Answers to Your Questions Links on www.hardycarey.com Blog/Newsletter signup

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