Ken Orchard is a veteran broadcaster specializing in helping stations with FCC Compliance.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
From the Desk of Ken Orchard: The FCC is enforcing NOW!
From the Desk of Ken Orchard: The FCC is enforcing NOW!: "As we close 2010, I'm concerned about stations that aren't meeting their obligations with the FCC. As many of you know, I've been working as..."
The FCC is enforcing NOW!
As we close 2010, I'm concerned about stations that aren't meeting their obligations with the FCC. As many of you know, I've been working as a nationwide FCC Compliance specialist for many years, and this past year has been excruciatingly tough on radio and television. But, it doesn't prevent the FCC from visiting your stations. Here is an example that really troubled me recently:
I found this post from one of the radio trade magazines:
"Making an FCC agent wait 90 minutes to see the public file - and then not delivering the goods - cost Arthur Liu's Multicultural Radio, the former licensee, a "$10,000 fine. The station is the currently-silent New York-area WNYG, Babylon (1440), but it was on the air last Fall when a Commission rep dropped by and asked to see the public file. It's supposed to be available at any time, during regular business hours, to anyone who asks. Instead, the agent was told it had been sent to the corporate office in New York to assist with a pending lawsuit. The Enforcement Bureau agent said he'd visit a co-located station, and when he came back to WNYG 90 minutes later, he discovered that the just-delivered file lacked the required quarterly issues/programs list for the current license period. In fact, the most recent list was dated March 1999. Later, when Multicultural responded to the FCC, it was able to supply the data. But the result is a $10,000 fine."
Results: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression on the FCC. FCC Compliance is an ongoing process for the duration of your 8-year license.
I'm available to consult with your station and conduct Alternative Broadcast Inspections nationwide - stay tuned for more observations from The Desk of Ken Orchard
I found this post from one of the radio trade magazines:
"Making an FCC agent wait 90 minutes to see the public file - and then not delivering the goods - cost Arthur Liu's Multicultural Radio, the former licensee, a "$10,000 fine. The station is the currently-silent New York-area WNYG, Babylon (1440), but it was on the air last Fall when a Commission rep dropped by and asked to see the public file. It's supposed to be available at any time, during regular business hours, to anyone who asks. Instead, the agent was told it had been sent to the corporate office in New York to assist with a pending lawsuit. The Enforcement Bureau agent said he'd visit a co-located station, and when he came back to WNYG 90 minutes later, he discovered that the just-delivered file lacked the required quarterly issues/programs list for the current license period. In fact, the most recent list was dated March 1999. Later, when Multicultural responded to the FCC, it was able to supply the data. But the result is a $10,000 fine."
Results: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression on the FCC. FCC Compliance is an ongoing process for the duration of your 8-year license.
I'm available to consult with your station and conduct Alternative Broadcast Inspections nationwide - stay tuned for more observations from The Desk of Ken Orchard
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