Yet another radio station has been hit with a public file violation penalty. This time, the licensee said it was under the impression that the rules were being followed by its LMA partner.
The station is WPAM-AM Pottsville PA, licensed to Curran Communications.
The station was missing issues/program lists for a number of quarters.
The FCC hit Curran with the standard $10,000 public file violation fine.
Curran requested cancellation or reduction of the fine for a number of reasons.
It cited its quick action to remedy the violation. As usual, the FCC responded that remediation is expected, not rewarded.
It also said it was unaware of its continuing responsibility for the file while the station was being programmed by RPM Media LLC, pursuant to a time brokerage agreement.
This argument was certain to go nowhere – one of the guiding principles of LMAs, TBAs and JSAs is that the licensee is ultimately responsible for the management of the station and is particularly responsible for dealings with the FCC.
Finally, Curran said the fine was beyond its means to pay. The FCC concurred and reduced it all the way down to $720. But in doing so, the FCC cautioned that it will not be so lenient in the event of future violations.
