However, if you are offended by a stations programming, we urge you to make your concerns known in writing to the station licensee. Conservatives are more likely than liberals to support. The audience for public television programming increased sharply over the past year: In 2020, the NewsHour program, which airs on PBS, attracted 1.2 million viewers on average, up 18% from the year before. Profane Material. Station Conducted Contests https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/loud-commercials-tv; https://www.fcc.gov/media/policy/loud-commercials, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/complaints-about-broadcast-advertising, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/interference-radio-tv-and-telephone-signals, https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/technologies-systems-and-innovation-division/rules-regulations-title-47, Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. declared the act unconstitutional because it protected against acts of private discrimination rather than state of discrimination. Broadcast of Telephone ConversationsAccess to Broadcast Material by People with Disabilities Email: tvinfo@fcc.gov. The media are sometimes referred to as the "fourth branch of government" because, they provide a check on the power of government and political leaders. More information about this ratings program, including a description of each ratings category, can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/v-chip-putting-restrictions-what-yo. Station Identification. As required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, the FCC has adopted rules to require some, but not all, television programs to include audio description. The descriptions are inserted into natural pauses in a programs dialogue and are designed to make TV programming more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. No federal law prohibits the broadcast by stations of requests for funds for legal purposes (including appeals by stations for contributions to meet their operating expenses), if the money or other contributions are used for the announced purposes. In this regard, the Commission has observed that the public interest is best served by permitting free expression of views. However, the right to broadcast material is not absolute. This technology, which must be activated by parents, works in conjunction with a voluntary television rating system created and administered by the television industry and others. Sponsorship Identification. However, if you believe that an advertisement is offensive because of the nature of the item advertised, the scheduling of the announcement, or the way the message is presented, you should consider addressing your complaint directly to the station or network involved, providing the date and time of the broadcast and the product or advertiser in question. About _______ percent of southern white families owned slaves in 1840. KPFA gave away free FM radios to build a listener base and to encourage listeners to "subscribe" (support the station directly with donations). The Montgomery bus boycott began after ______ refused to give up her seat for a white man. Closed captioning is a technology designed to provide access to television programming by persons with hearing disabilities by displaying, in text form, the audio portion of a broadcast, as well as descriptions of background noise and sound effects. LPTV and LPFM stations do not have a public inspection file but are required to maintain a political file. 9050 Junction Drive Obscene, Indecent, or Profane Programming Cable Television - Where to File Complaints Regarding Cable Service, Online Public Inspection File Access and Information, Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Channels ("PEG Channels"), Television Broadcast Stations on Satellite, Video Competition and Price Survey Reports. Fax: (202) 418-0232 NPRs digital platforms continue to be an important part of its reach. Digital Radio. Rather, a petition to deny or informal objection against a stations license renewal application must either be filed electronically in the FCCs electronic database for that application, or by mail. Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental, Affairs Bureau Consumer, Inquiries & Complaints Division, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, A complaint from a party located outside of the stations blanketing contour (. The trend in concentration of traditional media ownership occurred in large part due to the relaxation of government regulations in the 1980's and the 1990's. Obscene Material. Equal Opportunities Program owners must send program files to distributors and providers with all required captions and use an agreed upon mechanism to inform the distributors and providers of the programming that is subject to the requirements. At the outset, the policy is designed to provide protection from interference for individuals within a certain distance from a station (in an area known as the stations blanketing contour) and only involving electronic devices that pick up an over-the-air signal from a broadcast radio or television station. All the major broadcast networks and most of the major cable networks encode their programming with this ratings information to work with the V-Chip. Specifically, acknowledgements may not contain comparative or qualitative descriptions, price information, calls to action, or inducements to buy, sell, rent, or lease. a small number of giant, privately owned corporations control most of the country's television networks, movie studios, record companies, cable channels, book publishers, magazines, newspapers, and digital media sites. As directed by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC has adopted rules requiring closed captioning of most, but not all, television programming. Similarly, if the emergency information is presented visually, it must be made accessible for persons who are blind or visually impaired. The limitations on NCE stations are discussed further in this Manual. Rutherford B. Hayes was elected president. The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 chartered a new national, but theoretically nongovernmental, agencythe Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Viewing the Public Inspection File. Opposition to legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ________, while support for legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ________. Serving under the Commissioners are a number of Offices and operating Bureaus. However, that notification is not necessary when the other party knows that the conversation will be broadcast or this knowledge can be reasonably presumed, such as when the party is associated with the station (for example, as an employee or part-time reporter) or originates the call during a program during which the station customarily broadcasts the calls. Specifically Designed to Serve These Needs. TV stations also may identify their digital multicast programming streams separately if they want, and, if so, must follow the format described in the FCCs rules. A public radio network, National Public Radio (NPR), was created in February 1970, as byproduct of the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. All EEO forms are electronically filed and are available for public review either in the FCCs online public file at https://publicfiles.fcc.gov, or in CDBS, the FCCs access database for radio at https://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/eeo_search.htm or in LMS, the FCCs access database for television at https:/enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/lmsDatabase.html. Public broadcasting refers to any television, radio, and digital media that receives funding from the public through license fees, subsidies, or tax dollars. Which of the following is an example of a public broadcasting organization? Business Practices, Advertising Rates, and Profits Entities that distribute television programs directly to home viewers, including broadcast stations, must comply with these rules. (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main If the licensee does not satisfactorily resolve the problem, you can mail or email a complaint to the Commission as follows: Your complaint should include: 1) your name, address, and phone number; 2) the call letters of each station involved; 3) each location at which the interference occurs; and 4) each specific device receiving the interference. Official station identification includes the stations call letters, followed by the community specified in its license as the stations location. NPR also receives some direct funding from private donors, foundations, and from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Programming from PRX, which distributes programs such as The World and The Takeaway, reached a terrestrial audience of about 9.5 million on average per week, roughly the same as in 2019. Public radio stations in the United States tend to broadcast a mixture of news and talk programs along with music and arts/cultural programming. Additional information concerning this requirement can be found on the FCC's website at Accessibility of Emergency Information on Television. Federal law prohibits the airing of advertising for cigarettes, little cigars, smokeless tobacco, and chewing tobacco on radio, TV, or any other medium of electronic communication under the FCC's jurisdiction. (Further data on podcasting is available in a separate fact sheet. Broadcasting obscene content is prohibited by law at all times of the day. Partly because of this belief, although it accounts for only a small fraction of government spending overall, some conservatives (including Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Donald Trump, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich) have made various efforts to defund or privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through federal budget legislation. Licensee Discretion Display of Internet Website Addresses In addition, effective technical assistance also includes recommending replacement equipment that would work better in high radio frequency fields. To receive the digital signals of stations that choose to operate in digital, consumers will have to purchase new receivers. Additional information on the closed captioning requirements can be found on the FCCs website at https://www.fcc.gov/general/closed-captioning-video-programming-television. Information and translations of public broadcasting in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Also included is a brief description of each item, but the description should not be relied upon in place of the underlying rules description of that item. If you have any concerns about a local station including its general operation, programming or other matters make your opinion known to the licensee and, if necessary, advise us of your concerns so we can look into the matter. Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 created the Cooperation for Public Broadcasting board, all five members from the same party. The NPR One app, which offers a stream of individual shows and podcasts, had a similar average number of total completed sessions in 2020 as in 2019, depending upon the device. To ensure that parents and other interested parties are informed of the educational and informational childrens programming their area stations offer, commercial television licensees must identify each program specifically designed to educate and inform children by displaying the icon E/I throughout the program. Bernie Sanders is best described as a _________, while Rand Paul is best described as a ________. Large media conglomerates own approximately ________ percent of daily newspapers. Additional information concerning the EEO rules is available at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/eeo-rules-and-policies-radio-and-broadcast-and-non-broadcast-tv. it is at least 30 minutes in duration, except that a licensee may air a limited amount of short-form programming, including public service announcements and interstitials, and have that programming count as Core Programming, as described in the Core Programming processing guidelines. On the radio side, organizations such as NPR and Public Radio Exchange (PRX) produce and distribute programming, reaching audiences through local stations as well as digital channels. In 2004, the FCC expanded the V-Chip requirement to apply also to devices that do not have a display screen but are used with a TV set, such as a VCR. The practice of training reporters to produce a standardized, seemingly neutral news product was the result of the newspaper industry's realization that the best way to make a profit was to not alienate potential readers who held liberal or conservative political views. This disclosure requirement also applies to the broadcast of musical selections for consideration (so-called payola) and the airing of certain video news releases. Rates charged for broadcast time are matters for private negotiation between sponsors and stations. We urge you to make use of the resources contained on this site, which may outline more recent developments in the law not discussed in the current version of this Manual. In contrast, NCE stations generally meet their operating expenses with contributions received from listeners and viewers, and also may receive government funding. (A completed session is any instance in which a user starts and stops using the app.) It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. In addition to adopting rules, we establish broadcast regulatory policies through the individual cases that we decide, such as those involving license renewals, station sales, and complaints about violations of Commission rules. If this phenomenon does occur with a television station, the Media Bureaus Video Division will handle complaints on a case-by-case basis, subject to the radio guidelines noted below. The station licensee knew that the information was false; Broadcasting the false information directly causes substantial public harm; and. The statute and FCC rules list a number of exceptions to this prohibition, principally advertisements for: In 1999, the Supreme Court held that the prohibition on broadcasting advertisements for lawful casino gambling could not constitutionally be applied to truthful advertisements broadcast by radio or television stations licensed in states where gambling is legal. In the United States, freedom of the press is protected by All of the following are important roles for the media in American Democracy EXCEPT enabling privately owned companies to advertise their products to the public. Donor Lists for Non-Commercial Educational Channels ("NCEs") We give full consideration to the broadcast complaints, comments, and other inquiries that the Commission receives. Requirement to Maintain a Public Inspection File These restrictions are discussed below. The NPR News app, which offers livestreams from individual stations and digital content, increased sharply in completed sessions among iPhone users. Commercial broadcasting now also exists in most of these countries; the . For additional information concerning this requirement, see https://www.fcc.gov/television-and-set-top-box-controls-menus-program-guides. Public Participation in the Licensing Process Each commercial full power and Class A station must keep a copy of its decision in the public file for the three-year period to which it pertains. Most broadcast stations have an obligation to provide news, public affairs, and other programming that addresses important issues facing its community. If an NCE asks for carriage, then a copy of the request must be kept in the public file for the duration of time the request covers. ), The top 20 NPR-affiliated public radio stations (by listenership) had on average a total weekly listenership of about 9 million in 2020, down 9% from 2019. However, the courts have upheld Congress' prohibition of the broadcast of indecent material during times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience, which the Commission has determined to be between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Indecent programming is defined as language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities. Broadcasts that fall within this definition and are aired between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. may be subject to enforcement action by the FCC. Depending on the nature of the advertisement, you should contact these agencies regarding those you believe may be false or misleading. The organization has a digital operation as well. As discussed further in this Manual, broadcast licensees must periodically make available detailed information about the programming they air to meet the needs and problems of their communities, which can be found in each stations public file. Stations must also comply with the Communications Act, the Commissions rules, and the terms of the station's license. At the national level, NPRs total operating revenue in 2020 was $270.1 million, roughly the same as 2019. Receivers are being marketed that incorporate both modes of reception, with the ability to automatically switch to the analog signal if the digital signal cannot be detected or is lost by the receiver. The ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established the "separate but equal" rule. These requirements also apply to video clips that a video programming provider or distributor posts on its website or application, if the provider or distributor showed the video clip on television with captions. The Federal Trade Commission has primary responsibility for determining whether an advertisement is false or deceptive and for taking action against the sponsor. As discussed previously, copies of all FCC EEO audit letters, licensee responses, and FCC rulings must also be included in the audited stations public file and are available for public review in a stations online public file. More information about the Commissions childrens television requirements can be viewed at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-educational-television, and https://www.fcc.gov/media/television/childrens-educational-television-reporting-form-2100-schedule-h. Station-Conducted Contests. For radio stations: Federal Communications Commission, Audio Division -Media Bureau, 45 L Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20554, email: For TV stations: Federal Communications Commission, Video Division -Media Bureau, 45 L Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20554, email. In the United States, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) serves as the nation's main public television provider. If your location is close to a radio station's transmitting antenna, then you may experience impaired reception of other stations. The programming must further the educational and informational needs of children 16 years old and under (this includes their intellectual/cognitive or social/emotional needs). The total number of individual members defined as anyone who has given money to one of the stations owned by these 123 licensees in each calendar year in 2019 was 2.4 million, about the same as the previous year. The traditional news media aim to provide objective reporting on current events by excluding the personal views of reporters or editors from their coverage. . The Commission often receives complaints concerning broadcast journalism, such as allegations that stations have aired inaccurate or one-sided news reports or comments, covered stories inadequately, or overly dramatized the events that they cover. Audio description is provided through the TV or set-top box secondary audio feature, which some TV controls identify as SAP or secondary audio program. Your TV user manual may provide information about activating the secondary audio feature.