The reason the FCC is levying this big fine against KIBH-FM is for numerous alleged violations of FCC rules, including “actions that undermine the effectiveness of the Emergency Alert System.” Kenai Educational Media operates KIBH-FM and was notified on multiple occasions by the FCC that it had programmed its EAS equipment messages for a radio station serving a different geographic area than that served by Kenai and that it was failing to monitor at least two EAS sources, and did not keep EAS operation information available to staff as required.
In a press release specific to this fine, the FCC wrote that “a broadcaster’s failure to meet these FCC requirements is a serious offense which can pose real dangers for their communities. Broadcasters have very important obligations related to EAS, a critical system for ensuring the public can receive accurate and expedient alerts and warnings during times of local and national emergencies.”
In addition to the EAS violations, KIBH also apparently violated a number of broadcast station rules, such as maintaining required records. Lastly, the broadcaster also failed to respond to several Commission inquiries. An agent from the Commission’s Anchorage field office discovered the violations and issued a notice to the station. After the station failed to respond, the Commission decided to move forward with Wednesday’s $66,000 fine. KIBH has 30 days to respond to the notice. The Commission will then review the response and any additional evidence, and may then proceed to issue a final forfeiture.
Read the 11-page Notice of Apparent Liability HERE.
