March 2013 Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: Delay in Providing Access to Public Inspection File Leads to Fine FCC Fines Broadcaster for Antenna Tower Fencing,…
First Quarter FCC KidVid Reports Confirm Accuracy of Mayan Calendar
At the end of every quarter, TV stations across the land must electronically file with the FCC a Form 398–The Children’s Television Programming Report. However, stations attempting to do that filing for the first quarter of 2013 are discovering that the FCC’s online filing system for those forms ends with…
Second Online Captioning Deadline Arrives March 30
As we have discussed at great length in the past, the FCC’s rules require that certain video programming delivered online be captioned if the programming previously aired on television with captions. The rules kicked in on April 30 of last year, and all video programming that appeared on television with…
A Farewell to Commissioner McDowell and a Nod to the “Rational Regulator”
While in the works for a while, today’s formal announcement by FCC Commissioner McDowell that he will be departing the FCC leaves a hole in the FCC’s ranks that will be difficult to fill. In many regards, Commissioner McDowell was a throwback to an earlier time, both at the FCC…
FCC Mulls Over Raising Limits on Foreign Ownership of Broadcast Stations
In response to a request by the Coalition for Broadcast Investment (“Coalition”), the FCC, through its Media Bureau, has invited the filing of comments on the question of whether the Commission should now be open to allowing non-citizens and foreign companies to hold more than a 25% equity interest in…
FCC Reduces Station Filing Burden For 2013 EEO Audits
As we all know, it’s easy to complain about the Federal Government these days given the gridlock that currently exists on Capitol Hill, the Sequester, and the looming debt ceiling battle. But let’s give credit where credit is due. The FCC has revised its Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) audit letter…