The FCC this week released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asking for response about existing rules covering how radio and television station buyers and sellers notify the public of proposed assignments and transfers of control.
Additionally, the FCC is seeking comment on whether it should do away with an exemption that excludes non-commercial educational stations and some others from publishing such public notices in newspapers.
Under a current provision of the Communications Act of 1934, the FCC cannot grant an application for a proposed assignment or transfer of a broadcast authorization where there would be a substantial ownership change without giving the public 30 days notice. Another provision requires applicants seeking a station construction permit to publish notice of the action in a local newspaper serving the community the station will serve within 30 days of submitting the application for construction to the commission.
The NPRM seeks comments on a proposal to add a requirement for applicants who file for an assignment or transfer of a broadcast license to broadcast a statement notifying the public of the proposed action. The commission also wants comments on a proposal to eliminate the newspaper notification exemption for NCEs.
For more information, visit www.fcc.gov.
To see the proposed language click Filing Announcements.
