September 2007
The next Children’s Television Programming Report must be filed with the FCC and placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by October 10, 2007, reflecting programming aired during the months of July, August, and September.
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 scripts to introduce the stories.” This advisory briefly outlines the current law regarding the broadcast of VNRs and alerts broadcasters to the need for caution in this area.
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 their political advertising. On December 10, 2003, the Supreme Court reviewed BCRA, and left intact all of the provisions of the law that apply to broadcasters.
By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer and Tony Lin
October 2006
On September 29, 2006, the FCC released the Second Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order (hereafter “Second Order”) regarding the children’s television rules and policies it had established in 2004 but for which it had suspended implementation pending reconsideration. In the Second Order, the FCC rejected many of the petitions for reconsideration but adopted several changes to the 2004 rules that were requested by a coalition of broadcasters, programmers, and public interest groups in a “Joint Proposal” submitted earlier this year. The revised rules, which are discussed below, will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer, Lauren Lynch Flick and Paul A. Cicelski
October 2006
Content of the Quarterly List
The next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by October 10, 2006, reflecting information for the months of July, August, and September.
By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer, Lauren Lynch Flick and Paul A. Cicelski
June 2006
Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
As a result of the Children’s Television Act of 1990 and the FCC Rules adopted under the Act, full power and Class A television stations are required, among other things, to: (1) limit the amount of commercial matter aired during programs originally produced and broadcast for an audience of children 12 years of age and younger; and (2) air programming responsive to the educational and informational needs of children 16 years of age and younger. Each of these requirements translates into the obligation to prepare supporting documents on a quarterly basis.
By Kathryn R. Schmeltzer, Lauren Lynch Flick and Paul A. Cicelski
June 2006
Content of the Quarterly List
The next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ local Public Inspection Files by July 10, 2006, reflecting information for the months of April, May and June, 2006.
The FCC requires each broadcast station to air a reasonable amount of programming responsive to significant community needs, issues, and problems as determined by the station. The FCC gives each station the discretion to determine which issues facing the community served by the station are the most significant and how best to respond to them in the station’s overall programming.
Comm Law Center