November 2006 Topics include: FCC Fines Puerto Rico Radio Station $15,000 for Violating Antenna Structure and Public Inspection File Rules, and Failing to Operate Within the Terms of Its License FCC Admonishes Florida Radio Station for Public Inspection File Violation FCC Takes Action to Enforce Environmental and Historic Preservation Rules…

November 2006 This Broadcast Station EEO Advisory is directed to radio and television stations licensed to communities in: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont and highlights the upcoming deadlines for compliance with the FCC’s EEO rule. A PDF…

November 2006 On November 14, 2006, FCC Commissioner Adelstein issued a statement commending The Center for Media Democracy and Free Press for its continued study regarding video news releases (VNRs). The Commission has described VNRs as “essentially prepackaged news stories, that may use actors to play reporters and include suggested…

November 2006 This Advisory provides a review of political broadcasting rules of the FCC. In this Advisory, of particular note are new regulations imposed on political broadcasting by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (“BCRA”) of 2002, popularly known as “McCain-Feingold.” BCRA contains several provisions that affect the way stations handle…

November 2006 On November 20, 2002, the FCC released a Second Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the “Second R&O”) in which it adopted new equal employment opportunity rules and policies for broadcasters and for multi-channel video programming distributors (the “new EEO Rule”). A complete copy of…

November 2006 In an effort to reduce the risk of reversal by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the FCC successfully persuaded the Court to allow it to pull back and review four indecency decisions. Earlier this week, the FCC announced the outcome of that review.…

By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer and Jarrett S. Taubman November 2006 Sample questions include: What is the source of the Commission’s authority to limit “obscene,” “indecent,” and “profane” program material? What FCC regulations prohibit “obscene” or “indecent” program material? What Commission regulations prohibit “profane” program material? What about the First Amendment?…