FCC Moves To Improve EAS Messages

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The FCC has updated its Emergency Alert System rules so they are more informative and easier to understand by the public. The updated rules will also see the replacement of the technical jargon that accompanies certain alerts, including test messages, with plain language terms so that the visual and audio messages are clearer to the public.

The updated rules require broadcasters, cable systems, and other Emergency Alert System participants to transmit the Internet-based version of alerts to the public when available, rather than transmit the legacy version of alerts. EAS is made up of both a legacy and internet-based system; with the internet-based system offering better messaging capabilities.

As a result of the action by the Commission, people who are deaf or hard of hearing will have access to alerts in a viewable format that more closely matches the audible versions of these alert messages on television. In addition, people who are blind or visually impaired will have access on their radios to national alerts containing more detailed audio information.

The increased use of Internet-based alerts, in Common Alerting Protocol format, will produce higher-quality audio messages, improve the availability of multilingual alerts, and ensure that more of the alerts displayed on television screens contain all of the information provided by the government.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Yes, the quality of the broadcast still sounds like someone talking in a tin can. And yes, the National Weather Service and TV stations make it sound like every blip on radar is a dangerous storm. But this has been going on for about 20 years. The days of a real tornado warning, when one was sighted or on the ground are over. That’s why almost nobody takes them seriously and goes outside to look at the sky. The real issue of the EAS weather warning is on radio itself. Many times there’s nobody at the radio station to broadcast anything locally, and this is all you have.

  2. There is to much on air testing going on here…..

    We have a weekly national EAS test and a local test..
    and every time it rains you think the world is coming to an end…
    The EAS receiver beeps every five minutes and goes thru a roll of paper…..
    and some clown is telling you the head for the basement….

    “If it thunders all the time the thunder ceases to be loud.”

    Wait till they get this disaster on your phone……

    The only EAS that worked was CONELRAD

    I suggest the FCC get some Program Directors on this committee.

    There —I said it.

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