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ARTICLE · 13 MAY 2024

FCC Charges Broadcaster With Violating Sponsorship ID Rules

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
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Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

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Late last month, the Federal Communications Commission entered into a consent decree with the Pacifica Foundation, resolving allegations that Pacifica's radio station, WBAI-FM...

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

Late last month, the Federal Communications Commission entered into a consent decree with the Pacifica Foundation, resolving allegations that Pacifica's radio station, WBAI-FM, violated the FCC's sponsorship identification rules as well as its underwriting requirements.

Under FCC Rules, broadcasters are required to identify on-air the sponsor of any paid program material that they broadcast. As the FCC has explained, these rules are "grounded in the principle that listeners and viewers are entitled to know who seeks to persuade them."

Noncommercial educational stations, such as WBAI-FM, get special benefits – such as lower regulatory fees – in recognition of the fact that they are non-profits. In exchange for those benefits, however, these stations are not permitted to broadcast commercial advertising, which is defined essentially as paid programming that is intended to "promote any service, facility, or product" of a for-profit entity. Even though commercial

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This post first appeared in Frankfurt Kurnit's Focus on the Data blog (www.focusonthedata.com). It provides general coverage of its subject area. We provide it with the understanding that Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is not engaged herein in rendering legal advice, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission. Our attorneys practice law only in jurisdictions in which they are properly authorized to do so. We do not seek to represent clients in other jurisdictions.

Originally published by the New York Legal Ethics Reporter

www.fkks.com

This alert provides general coverage of its subject area. We provide it with the understanding that Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is not engaged herein in rendering legal advice, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission. Our attorneys practice law only in jurisdictions in which they are properly authorized to do so. We do not seek to represent clients in other jurisdictions.

www.fkks.com

This alert provides general coverage of its subject area. We provide it with the understanding that Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is not engaged herein in rendering legal advice, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission. Our attorneys practice law only in jurisdictions in which they are properly authorized to do so. We do not seek to represent clients in other jurisdictions.

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