License renewal may finally mean something

The LA Times reports FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps will announce the first in "a series of hearings nationwide to collect data and opinions about specific broadcasters. The resulting record would be used as evidence to challenge licenses when they come before the FCC for renewal."

Already, a group started by Ralph Nader has asked the FCC to deny renewal of broadcast licenses for 63 Clear Channel radio stations (there are links to a list of stations and the full complaint):

"The FCC is required by statute to deny applications for license renewal if a licensee exhibits poor character," said Jim Donahue, project director of Essential Information, which filed the complaint with the FCC. "In the three years since Clear Channel became the largest holder of station licenses in the nation, it has demonstrated that it lacks the requisite character to hold broadcast licenses," Donahue said, "and Clear Channel has compiled a record of repeated law-breaking."

"Clear Channel and its subsidiaries have violated the law on 36 separate occasions over the last three years, demonstrating its poor character...

"The FCC has held that licensees which exhibit a pattern of illegal conduct shall be denied the privilege of broadcasting on the public's airwaves because such licensees cannot be considered truthful or reliable in complying with the Communications Act of 1934 or FCC regulations," said Donahue.

Clear Channel's illegal behavior includes:

Misleading the public about the rules for radio contests, including its "So You Want to Win 10,000" contest which offered a prize of "10,000" to listeners who could accurately answer 10 questions - without informing the audience that the prize was "10,000 Italian Lira" (or 53 dollars), not 10,000 dollars;

Deceptive advertising;

Broadcasting conversations without obtaining permission of the second party to the conversation;

Broadcasting obscene and indecent material during daylight hours when children are likely listening;

Illegally taking operational control of a radio station;

Repeatedly flouting the rules pertaining to the testing of the emergency alert system, maintenance of station logs, and antenna construction;

Conviction for animal cruelty in violation of state law for the purpose of promoting an on-air personality;

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Article Author: Steve Rhodes

Steve Rhodes is a journalist and photographer in San Francisco.

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