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 special issue takes a look at the government’s renewed efforts to scuttle Pirate Radio operations. Since the government first began regulating the…
Articles Posted in Emergency Alert System
Broadcaster Access to Disaster Areas Becomes the Law of the Land
Yesterday’s enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (feel free to read it, it’s only 2,232 pages) was welcomed by broadcasters. If you’ve been following the trade press, you’ll know that’s largely because it not only added a billion dollars to the FCC’s fund for reimbursing broadcasters displaced by the…
Today’s the Day: Nationwide EAS Test and Form 2 Deadline Arrive
Earlier this week, the FCC and FEMA released a final reminder that this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will occur today, September 27, 2017 at 2:20 PM Eastern Time. The test will be transmitted in both English and Spanish and broadcasters will choose which one to air…
Broadcasters Encounter FCC System Obstacles in Meeting Monday Deadline for EAS Form 1 Filing
The FCC and FEMA have established September 27, 2017 as the date for the next nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Like last year’s test, all EAS participants must file Form 1 a month before the test. The Form 1 has been modified, however, requiring information that was…
FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ July 2017
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: Headlines: FCC Proposes $66,000 Fine Against Alaska Noncommercial FM Station for EAS and Other Violations Man Faces $120 Million Fine…
FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ June 2017
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: Headlines: TV Broadcaster Agrees to $55,000 “Civil Penalty” for Airing False EAS Tones Radio Broadcaster to Donate or Surrender Nine…
Keep Calm and Broadcast On: Broadcasters as Hurricane First Responders
While some debate endlessly which content best serves the public interest, there is universal agreement that the content broadcasters air during emergencies is vital to their communities. Whether it comes in the form of tracking a developing storm so the public can prepare, or disseminating evacuation orders and alerts, broadcasters…
Hoping to Avoid Website Crash, FCC Urges EAS Participants to Stagger Filings
The FCC has sent an email to those registered in the EAS Test Reporting System (“ETRS”) for tomorrow’s nationwide test, asking them to (1) stagger the filing of their EAS Form Two based on their time zone, and (2) not file Form Three until the day after the test. The…
Nationwide EAS Test Comes With a “To Do” List for Broadcasters and Other EAS Participants
Those trying to keep up with the news surrounding the upcoming nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) know that a lot has been happening in a short period of time. Below, we pull together the many recent FCC actions regarding EAS in one place for ease of reference.…
FCC Adopts New National EAS Test Rules and Accessibility Standards
The FCC has slowly but surely been striving to improve the nation’s Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) to improve safety warnings to the public. In its most recent effort to achieve this goal, the FCC issued an Order last week updating its rules to establish operational standards to be used during…