4-30-2012
On Friday the FCC updated the existing disclosure procedures to move the public file from paper to the Internet, calling it "common sense." The NAB was not happy with the change. "By forcing broadcasters to be the only medium to disclose on the Internet our political advertising rates, the FCC jeopardizes the competitive standing of stations that provide local news, entertainment, sports and life-saving weather information free of charge to tens of millions of Americans daily."
Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn voted to affirm the entire order, which includes requiring the broadcasters' public file - including the political file - be moved online over a two year period. Commissioner McDowell dissented to the portions of the Order requiring the political file to be posted online. The new rule requires television stations to post their public files online in a central, Commission-hosted online database rather than maintaining paper files locally at their main studios. Broadcasters have kept what are now known as ?public files? on paper since 1965 as part of their longstanding obligation to disclose community-relevant information for public review. The public has been able to exercise its right to this information only by visiting a broadcast station and asking to see the public file.
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