The FCC Media Bureau has requested comments on...
The FCC Media Bureau has requested comments on possible changes to requirements that TV stations post their political file documents online, said a public notice released Tuesday (http://bit.ly/19CofIq). The commission is looking for comments on the rule because while it…
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only applies to around 240 stations now -- affiliates of the top four networks in the top 50 DMAs -- it’s set to be applied to all TV stations starting July 1, 2014, the PN said. “We seek comment generally on the experience of this initial group of stations in posting their political files online as well as the public’s experience in accessing this information,” said the PN. The Media Bureau is also looking for comments “on the ability of stations that are currently exempt from the political posting requirement to comply” with next year’s deadline. “Are there changes we should make to our rules or our database to facilitate compliance for stations that will be subject to the online political file requirements for the first time next year?” asked the PN. Along with the approaching widening of the rule’s scope, the bureau also asked for comments on a petition for reconsideration filed by a group of station owners arguing that forcing stations to post political ad rates is “anti-competitive, disrupts markets, and is not contemplated by current campaign finance disclosure statutes,” said the PN. The petition asks the bureau to let stations keep the ad rate information in hard copy only, while allowing stations to post “the aggregate amount of money spent by a sponsor of political advertisements” online on an “opt-in basis.” However, that would make it difficult for the public to obtain the information or ensure that stations are “meeting their statutory obligations with respect to lowest unit rate,” according to an opposition to the station owners’ petition filed by the Public Interest Public Airwaves Coalition. The bureau is looking for comments on how to make political file documents more accessible, and on the voluntary system suggested in the petition. Comments are due Aug. 26, reply comments Sept. 23.