Legal File
Artificial Intelligence in Political Ads – Media Companies Beware
In the Washington Post last weekend, an op-ed article suggested that political candidates should voluntarily renounce the use of artificial intelligence in their campaigns. The article seemed to be looking for candidates to take the actions that governments have largely thus far declined to mandate.
Read More7 Michigan Stations Affected: FCC Announces Second EEO Audit of 2023 – 150 Radio and TV Stations Must Report on Their EEO Compliance
The FCC this week released its second EEO audit notice for 2023. The FCC’s Public Notice, audit letter, and the list of stations selected for audit is available here.
Read MoreBroadcaster’s Legal Considerations for Early Season Political Ads
With the 2024 election looming, broadcasters are already receiving requests for political advertising time, from PACs and other issue groups, and from both established candidates and newcomers eager to make an early splash to enhance their public standing. Some of these potential buyers advance unique policy positions and, sometimes, unusual ad buying strategies. How are broadcasters to deal with these early political ad buyers?
Read MoreReminder: September 15 Deadline for Updating ETRS Form One in Preparation for Nationwide EAS Test, and an FCC Notice on the Accessibility of EAS Messages
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has scheduled a nationwide EAS test for October 4, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm EDT, using the Internet-based Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) (with a back-up date of October 11 if necessary). In a Public Notice released in August, the FCC set out steps that broadcasters should take to prepare for that test.
Read MoreSeptember Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Regulatory Fees, HD Radio Power Increase Comments, EAS Filings, and Preparation for Many October Deadlines
On the surface, September appears to have few scheduled regulatory filing dates and deadlines, but it is period in which many broadcasters will be busy with deadlines that occur in early October and into the rest of the Fall. TV stations should be finishing their decision-making on must-carry/retransmission consent elections, which need to be in their public files by October 2.
Read MoreFM Translator Filing Freeze to go into Effect on September 1, 2023, Announced as Part of Rules for Applications in November LPFM Filing Window
This past Monday (7/31), the FCC’s Media Bureau announced the rules for the filing window for new LPFM stations that is to open on November 1, 2023.
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence in Political Ads – Legal Issues in Synthetic Media and Deepfakes in Campaign Advertising – Concerns for Broadcasters and Other Media Companies
Stories about “deepfakes,” “synthetic media,” and other forms of artificial intelligence being used in political campaigns, including in advertising messages, have abounded in recent weeks.
Read MoreFCC Media Bureau Issues Biennial Ownership Report Reminder
This past Monday (7/17). the FCC’s Media Bureau issued a public notice reminding all U.S. broadcast licensees of the importance of filing their biennial ownership reports. Doing so requires the use of FCC Form 323 or 323-E, per Commission rules.
Read MoreFCC’s Media Bureau Announces Transition of Additional Filings to Licensing and Management System.
The FCC’s Media Bureau has announced the completion of the transition of Media Bureau filings and electronic records from the Consolidated Database System (CDBS) to the Licensing and Management System (LMS). Commencing July 26, 2023, the public must submit through LMS the following filings that were previously submitted using CDBS or a paper form.
Read MoreJuly Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Quarterly Issues/Programs List, Franken FMs, Copyright Distant Signal Copyright Claims, and More
July is relatively light on broadcast regulatory dates, but the Quarterly Issues/Programs List deadline on July 10 is one that applies to all full-power broadcasters and Class A TV stations. As set forth below, there are a few other dates worth noting this coming month – with more to come in August.
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