FCC Proposes Online Standard Issues/Programs Lists For TV Stations, Radio Likely To Come Later

FCC Proposes Online Lists

The FCC has released a Notice of Inquiry proposing to replace issues/programs lists presently required for television stations' public files with a standard online form and a sample-based methodology.  

The move would be limited to TV stations for now, and the Commission indicated that it disagrees with commenters to a previous proposal that a standardized form is not necessary, noting that reporting of issues and programs has become more inconsistent over the years and needs a standardized form, although it agreed that the form previously adopted was overly burdensome.

On the probability of doing the same for radio, the Commission said, "We believe that we should eventually require radio licensees to replace their issues/programs lists with a standardized form as well. We also believe, however, that there may be benefits to requiring television licensees to implement enhanced disclosure requirements first. Television stations have been significantly more involved in considering these issues, from the Enhanced Disclosure NOI in 1999 through the 2007 Report and Order. Further, it may ease the initial implementation of a standardized form if we begin the process with the much smaller number of television licensees. Finally, we foresee that there may be some radio- specific concerns that we will need to address prior to adopting disclosure requirements for radio stations."

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