Television Station Pays $13,500 for Online Public Inspection File Violations

An Iowa television station will pay a $13,500 settlement because it failed to timely upload documents to its online public inspection file. The station failed to upload issues/programs lists and commercial limits certifications for several calendar quarters over a three-year period. Now that all television station and some radio station public files are available online, with the rest to follow, it is important to remember that both the public and FCC staff can easily access public files to determine whether online files are complete and whether documents were uploaded at the required times. The FCC’s consent decree serves as a reminder of the importance of uploading documents to stations’ public inspection files on a timely basis, and regularly reviewing the files for deficiencies.

If you have any questions regarding public inspection file requirements, please contact any attorney in our office.