FCC Media Bureau Lets Some Stations Out of Older Public File Uploading Requirements
The FCC Media Bureau granted a partial waiver of the agency’s online public file rules that will let some stations avoid uploading older program and issues lists to the FCC’s online clearinghouse for such files. KTBS-TV Shreveport, La., had asked for a partial waiver of FCC requirements that it upload by Monday its issues/programs lists for a still-pending license renewal period. The station is still maintaining in paper form the files for its deferred license renewal. The lists cover June 1997 through May 2005.
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The bureau said requiring KTBS and other stations like it to upload those lists for previous but deferred license renewal cycles, in which no party has opposed a renewal application, could “confuse members of the public that wish to participate in the current term renewal process,” an order from the bureau said (http://xrl.us/bodxia). The bureau’s order had been expected (CD Jan 24 p6). The stations are still required to keep copies of the lists at their facilities until the FCC takes final action on the deferred license renewals, the order said.
The order applies to stations that have a pending license renewal application that is deferred due to enforcement matters “unrelated to the station’s obligation to air programming responsive to the needs and interests of its community,” and that has not been opposed by a member of the public, the order said. Such stations still must upload current license term files by the Monday deadline, the order said. The order extended the same relief to noncommercial stations, it said.
The order didn’t say how many stations are “similarly situated” to KTBS-TV but it’s believed to be hundreds, an NAB spokesman said. “My understanding is most of them are hung up because of indecency complaints,” said Frank Jazzo, an attorney with Fletcher Heald representing KTBS-TV.
The NAB is pleased with the waiver, an NAB spokesman said, adding: “It’s important to note that this information will remain available for viewing in a public file at the TV station.”