Following the Rules?

Amid all the deregulation during Chairman Pai’s tenure, one other trend is very clear. If there is a rule on the books, it is to be followed and will be enforced. Case in point – a Class A television station in California recently received a Notice of Violation when an FCC Field Agent, responding to a complaint, tuned in and did not see required station identification announcements/displays. In this case, the station was not including a station identification on its digital sub-channels or multicast programming streams during a two-hour monitoring period. Seems rather minor in the big scheme of things, but it is a rule on the books and the FCC is enforcing it.

An NOV is the first step in the enforcement process. A station receiving an NOV has time to respond and the FCC then decides whether to take an enforcement action (be it a fine or admonishment).

So don’t get over-exuberant in our new deregulatory times and simply brush aside rule compliance. The FCC can (and will) take action to ensure rules are followed.