The issues/program portion of the public file has come into the path of the FCC’s fine machine, and the result is a $7K assessment against KUOA-AM Siloam Springs AR, in the Fayetteville AR Arbitron market. Information was placed in the files all right, but it was impossible to determine when it went in, and the narratives were insufficient to gauge the content of the programming.
The problem went unchecked from 10/10/96 to 1/10/03. The FCC found KUOA’s plea that it be granted a reduction since it at least attempted to comply with the rules to be without merit.
The station did get somewhat of a break. The fine had originally been for $10K, which the FCC reduced to $9K in honor of the station turning itself in on the matter. It granted another $2K reduction on this instance in honor of the stations overall record of compliance.
RBR/TVBR observation: Somebody at the station has got to know the rules, or the services of somebody who does must be contracted. In this case an attempt to comply was made, but fell short. On the plus side, the FCC did honor the twin pillars of candor and compliance, showing that honesty is not only its own reward, sometimes it can even save you $3K.
Editor note: Somebody at the station has got to know the rules, or the services of somebody who does must be contracted. Ok, you say the process is confusing, you say we can not afford a $500 an hour FCC law firm, well here is your way to Zoom in on the easy and inexpensive way to keep yourself and your company out of hot water – check out Broadcast1Source, do it, and you will find this amazing as we did and not at $500 an hour. You can Zoom In on your legal needs at an inexpensive price and stay out of hot water with the FCC.
