The FCC should indefinitely postpone the extension of online...

all broadcasters in July 2014, but the FCC in June asked for comments on that expansion (CD June 27 p20). “The marginal benefit of additional online public file material does not justify imposing new burdens on those stations that are least capable of handling them,” said Gray. Uploading the political ad information as new contracts come in while being careful to redact sensitive financial info “will increase -- not reduce -- burdens on station staff,” Gray said. “Employees in small and mid-size markets wear many hats and simply cannot handle any additional regulatory compliance responsibilities.” The FCC’s own rules show that putting political files online will “disproportionately disadvantage minorities and those living in rural areas” since they are largely served by the small market stations encompassed in the new filing requirement, Gray said. “No longer would these individuals be able to drive to the station to review political files,” said Gray. “Instead, to access a station’s political file, they would need to find a location with Internet access and possess the skills to navigate the FCC’s online public file site.” The FCC has to establish that “Internet access is sufficiently pervasive” to use the expansion of access as a reason to force broadcasters to put political files online, said Gray.