The FCC wants radio stations to remember to get their Public Files online by March 1. Commercial stations in Nielsen’s top 50 markets, with five or more full-time employees, were required to use the FCC’s online public file database on June 24, 2016. All other radio stations were exempted until March 1, 2018. As of March 1, all stations must place all existing public file material in the online public file, with the exception of existing political file material.
In addition, on March 1, 2018, radio stations must begin placing all new public and political file material in the online file on a going-forward basis. They are not required to upload political files placed in their public file prior to March 1, 2018; however, you are required to retain those documents until the end of the two-year retention period.
