Broadcaster Fined $500,000 for Sponsorship ID and Political File Violations

The FCC has fined a radio broadcaster $500,000 for sponsorship identification and political file violations related to programs it aired that were paid for by a political party but not properly identified as such.

The programs aired on two stations and resembled public affairs programs produced by the stations, but were actually “paid political presentations” by the Idaho Republican Party that were produced and hosted by two prominent party members who controlled all program content and guest appearances. The stations failed to air sponsorship identification announcements for multiple program episodes and related promotional announcements, meaning listeners were not informed about “the true nature of the broadcasts and the identity of those who paid for them.”

The FCC’s sponsorship identification rules require radio and television stations to announce, at the time a program is broadcast, if a station has been paid to broadcast the program and who the sponsor is.

The FCC also cited the stations for failing to upload information about candidate appearances to their online political files. The FCC said the programs contained appearances that constituted “uses” and communicated messages about political matters of national importance, but the stations failed to document these in their political files.

For more information about the FCC's sponsorship identification rules and political broadcasting requirements, contact an attorney in our Media practice group.