Fcc Rules for Non-Commercial Radio

So when can you issue a call to action? If you`re referring to a nonprofit like WKNC, you can demand anything you want. Even if the nonprofit gets financial benefits (i.e., « send your donations to the American Red Cross »), it`s still legal. In this way, we are allowed to make public announcements that contain calls to action. If WKNC is listed as a co-sponsor of an event, you must determine who is the primary beneficiary before issuing calls to action. If it`s WKNC, like the Double Barrel Benefit, then do it. When it comes to for-profit activities, the usual rules apply and you should avoid calls to action. If you`re not sure if something is charitable, it`s best to play it safe. Non-commercial FM (ECR) transmitters may be licensed on frequency 88.1 MHz to 91.9 MHz, which corresponds to channels 201 to 220 (sometimes referred to as the « reserved band »). No commercial exploitation is permitted on these frequencies. Non-commercial educational FM channels may also be licensed in the commercial FM band in accordance with the technical regulations applicable to this service (see section above). Contour protection is used in the reserved band to determine if there is interference for other stations (see 47 CFR Section 73.509). The contents of the file. The items that should be in a sender`s public file, the rule section that requires submission, and the retention period for each item are listed below.

A brief description of each element is also included, but the description should not be used instead of the description of that element in the underlying rules. For more information on AM and FM radio programs, visit the Audio Division website and the Broadcast Radio Links page. For more information on broadcasting, visit the Video Division website. FCC > Media Bureau > Audio Division, (202) 418-2700, and Video Division, (202) 418-1600. Public announcements broadcast on behalf of independent not-for-profit or government organizations – or media companies in partnership with not-for-profit organizations or government agencies – that display websites that are not under the control of the licensee or cable company are exempt from the website posting rules. In addition, station identifications and emergency announcements are also excluded. In 2012, the FCC modernized its public inspection documentation requirements by requiring full-power Class A broadcasters to make their public inspection records available on an online website, publicfiles.fcc.gov, hosted by the Commission. In 2016, the Commission continued its modernization efforts by requiring broadcasting licensees to also publish their public documents in the online database hosted by the FCC. The Commission has taken a number of measures to minimise the burden of the online file for broadcasters.

Broadcasters are required to upload only those items that are to be included in the public record, but that are not otherwise submitted to the Commission or available on the Commission`s website. The Commission transfers all documents that are to be kept on file online, including electronic submissions to the Commission. In accordance with Congressional instructions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC passed rules requiring subtitles for most, but not all, television programs. Companies that distribute television programs directly to viewers, including broadcasters, must comply with these rules. The rules also provide for certain exceptions to the subtitle requirements. For more information on subtitle requirements, see www.fcc.gov/general/closed-captioning-video-programming-television on the FCC website. The courts have ruled that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be totally banned. However, it may be restricted to avoid its broadcast at times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience. In accordance with a federal law on indecency and the decisions of the federal courts interpreting the law, the commission adopted a rule according to which programs – on television and radio – that meet the definition of indecency and that are broadcast between 6 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. are prohibited and subject to measures to enforce indecency.

Digital radio. The FCC has also approved digital operations for AM and FM (HD radio) radio stations. As with DTV, digital radio greatly improves the quality of the radio signal and allows a station to offer multicasting across multiple streams of programs as well as some advanced services. Unlike the mandatory digital transition period for broadcasters, broadcasters can continue to operate in analogue form and have the discretion to broadcast whether or not to broadcast digitally and, if so, when they operate in digital form. In order to receive digital signals from stations that choose to operate digitally, consumers must purchase new receivers. The FCC law and rules list a number of exceptions to this prohibition, primarily advertising for: workplace discrimination and equal opportunity (« EEO »). The FCC requires all radio and television licensees to provide equal employment opportunities. We also prohibit discrimination based on race, colour, religion, national origin or sex. However, religious broadcasters may require that some or all of their employees have a religious qualification.

mutually exclusive non-commercial educational applications. Conflicts between non-commercial educational stations and other non-commercial educational applicants submitted in a timely manner (i.e., when disruptions between stations would occur if all applications were accepted) are resolved through a points system. The dot system can be found in the report and order in MM Docket 95-31, FCC 00-120 (2000) [ PDF | Word ]. See also Memorandum Opinion and Order, MM Docket 95-31, FCC 01-64 (2001) [ PDF | Word ] and see also sections 73.7000 to 73.7005 of the FCC Rules. Political broadcasting: candidates for public office. Recognizing the crucial role played by broadcasting in the electoral process, the Communications Act and the Commission`s rules impose specific obligations on broadcasters with regard to rules on political advertising. Television rules are covered by 47 CFR 73.601 to 73.699 and 47 CFR 73.1001 to 73.5009. In 1999, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban on advertising legal casino games cannot be constitutionally applied to truthful advertising broadcast by radio or television stations licensed in states where gambling is legal.