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ARTICLE · 28 JANUARY 2025

FCC Proposes Significant Fine Against Broadcaster For Several Emergency Alert System Violations

Wiley Rein
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On January 8, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) proposing a $369,190 penalty against a television licensee

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Joan Stewart
Joan Stewart
Ari Meltzer
Ari Meltzer
Stephanie Rigizadeh
Stephanie Rigizadeh

On January 8, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) proposing a $369,190 penalty against a television licensee for willfully and repeatedly violating the Commission's Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules. Specifically, the FCC found the licensee liable for several violations, including (1) failure to transmit the Nationwide EAS Test over a three-year period; (2) failure to file the required EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) forms; and (3) misrepresentation in ETRS filings.

The NAL highlights the importance of complying with the EAS testing and reporting requirements. Compliance with the EAS rules has been a particular focus of the FCC's enforcement activities in recent years, and this action demonstrates that large proposed forfeitures are not reserved for misuse of the EAS tones. Broadcasters should take stock of their internal processes and procedures to ensure employees have

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