FCC Issues Fines And Rescinds One, Too

Several Rulings

The FCC issued a flurry of fines, proposed fines, and rescission of fines TODAY (8/3).

A $9,000 fine was slapped on the METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WAYNE TOWNSHIP (INDIANA) for missing issues/programs lists in the public file of noncommercial high school station WBDG/INDIANAPOLIS.  The Commission rejected the school board's contention that the fine was excessive and said that the board had not submitted sufficient information to demonstrate an inability to pay the fine.

The Commission also proposed a $7,000 fine against NIEVEZQUEZ PRODUCTIONS, INC., licensee of Spanish Tropical WPRX-A/BRISTOL, CT, for a late license renewal application and unauthorized operation of the station after the license expired, but granted the renewal.  An appeal by APPLIED LIFE MINISTRIES, INC., licensee of Contemporary Christian KALR/HOT SPRINGS, AR of a $5,600 fine for the same violation was dismissed by the Commission.  BUTLER BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC was fined $500 for its own late license renewal application for FM translator K246BS (formerly K244DS)/FAYETTEVILLE, AR and unauthorized operation after the license technically expired.

But the Commission granted WPW BROADCASTING INC.'s petition for reconsideration of a $10,000 fine for public file violations at Talk WLBK-A/DEKALB, IL, rescinding the fine but admonishing the licensee.  The appeal pointed out that the fine violated the Commission's own regulations by issuing the notice of violation after a new license term had commenced and more than a year after the alleged violations had occurred.

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