Legislative Update
Battle Creek Property Owner Warned About Pirate Radio Operation
In a public release dated September 8, the Federal Communications Commission announced that its Chicago Office’s Enforcement Bureau is investigating a complaint about an unlicensed FM broadcast station operating on frequency 89.1 MHz in Battle Creek.
Read MoreWhitmer Appoints Acting Executive Director to Cannabis Regulatory Agency
Governor Gretchen Whitmer on September 15 announced the appointment of Brian Hanna as acting executive director of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). Effective September 19, Hanna will join the CRA, bringing extensive experience to fill this vital role within the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration.
Read MoreSenator Rand Paul Introduces Bill to Repeal Broadcast Ownership Limits and Allow Joint Negotiations with Big Tech Companies
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has introduced a bill to repeal all broadcast ownership limitations including the radio and television local ownership rules. As we have noted before, the FCC is currently considering changes to the radio ownership rules.
Read MoreFCC Regulatory Fees Due By September 28 and Can Be Paid Now
Back to News FCC Regulatory Fees Due By September 28 and Can Be Paid Now September 9, 2022 MAB Washington Counsel David Oxenford advises that the due date for regulatory fees has been set by the FCC. Fees can be paid now, and must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 28. The…
Read MoreSeptember Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters: Reg Fees, Foreign Government Program Certifications, Final Chance to Claim Reimbursement for Repacking Expenses, Comments on ATSC 3.0 and FTC Advertising Inquiry, and More
As summer begins to wind down, just like the rest of the world, the FCC and other government agencies seem to pick up speed on long delayed actions. Broadcasters can anticipate increased regulatory activity in the coming months. For September, there are a few dates to which all broadcasters should pay attention, and a few that will be of relevance to a more limited group.
Read MoreMajority of House of Representatives Now Cosponsoring Local Radio Freedom Act
The NAB announced that a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives are now cosponsoring the Local Radio Freedom Act, a resolution opposing “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local broadcast radio stations. The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), which signals members of Congress’s opposition to any potential legislation that imposes new performance royalties on broadcast radio stations for music airplay, now has 222 cosponsors in the House and 28 in the Senate.
Read MoreFCC Releases Second EEO Audit Notice for 2022 – Reviewing a Broadcaster’s EEO Obligations (Five Michigan Stations on List)
The FCC last Friday released its second EEO audit notice for 2022 (available here), this time targeting approximately 130 radio and TV stations. Those stations, and the station employment units (commonly owned stations serving the same area) with which they are associated, must provide to the FCC…
Read More$60,000 Fine on LPTV Station For Political Broadcasting and Sponsorship Identification Issues with Ad Packages Containing News Program Appearances
Last week, the FCC entered into a consent decree with the operator of a low power TV station, where the broadcaster admitted to violating FCC rules by selling advertising packages that included guaranteed appearances of the advertiser on a local news and information program…
Read MoreFCC and FEMA Warn Broadcasters and MVPDs that EAS Systems Have Security Vulnerability
Last week, both the FCC and FEMA issued notices to broadcasters, cable and other EAS participants that there was a vulnerability in the EAS technologies that could make those systems subject to hacking, potentially allowing bad actors to send out messages to the public using the alerting system…
Read MoreWhy Federal and State Issue Ads Have Different Broadcast Public File Requirements
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Recently, I’ve received many calls from broadcasters about the FCC public file obligations for issue ads (those ads not bought by legally qualified candidates or their authorized committees) – particularly concerning the different treatment between issue ads dealing with federal candidates or federal matters, and those dealing with state and…
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