When was the last time a listener mailed you a letter about your programming? When was the last time a listener came to your radio station and asked to see your public file? It’s probably been awhile. You are well aware that the FCC still requires you to keep all correspondence from the listening public in a paper file. Did you know that rule is now over 40 years old? On Wednesday, The FCC took its first step to eliminate the rule that requires radio stations to retain, and make available to the public, copies of correspondence from listeners.
The Commission voted unanimously for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would no longer require stations to include those correspondence in their paper public file. The plan would be to move everything online. Moving this requirement online not only help broadcasters, it would make it even easier for the public to access, if they ever did want to research your public file.
The Commission adopted online public file rules for broadcast television licensees in 2012, moving television public files that previously were retained at stations’ local main studios, to an online, Commission-hosted database. TV broadcasters completed their transition to the online file in July 2014.
Once the NPRM is available, there will be time allotted for public comment before the final rule change is set in motion.
