FCC Actions
Attempting to clarify errors made in 1988, the FCC is revising the public file rules for Class D FMs to remove the requirement that they must maintain quarterly issues/program lists. The agency states, “the omission of the Class D Note from the 1988 Order and subsequent editions of the CFR was an inadvertent one, unrelated to the proposal addressed in that Order, and re-codify the exemption that relieves Class D FM stations from the requirement to maintain issues/programs lists in their online public inspection file.” This includes disavowing the $9000 fine issued to University of Montana’s 90.9 KDWG Dillon MT in 2009 for failing to maintain those lists, but makes no mention of returning the funds to the university.
Socorro Community Radio’s Country “Mine Country 102.1” KYRN Socorro NM has entered into a consent decree and agreed to a $1500 civil penalty related to an improper transfer of control in 2013.
An informal objection filed by Green Lion Media alleged that Socorro Community Radio failed to notify the FCC on the death of sole member William Pace in 2013, when at the time it operated the station via Time Brokerage Agreement from Sovereign City Radio and a second occurred in July 2017 when Green Lion began operating the station ahead of a planned sale. SCR countered that the 2013 transfer was not an illegal transfer of control because they did not own the station, but admitted that the 2017 one was as its owner moved out of state and allowed Green Lion to assume control without authorization. After they filed a lawsuit against Green Lion the station went silent in March 208 for nearly a year. The two sides differed on the filings of the STA dates and whether the issues/programs lists in the public file was accurate, but the FCC rejected Green Lion’s claims.
The following licensees have entered into consent decrees for failing to maintain their online political files:
- Cape Cod Broadcasting License II, LLC licensee of WOCN-FM Orleans MA
- Fayette Broadcasting Corp. licensee of WMBS Uniontown PA
- Lakes Media, LLC licensee of WLKZ Wolfeboro NH
Deletions
The FCC has deleted the license of Estrella Media’s 103.3 KJOJ-FM Freeport TX. KJOJ-FM went silent in December 2020 following the collapse of its near 2000 foot tower in a storm. Inquiries into the status of the station by the FCC to Estrella Media earlier this year went unanswered.
Alma Corporation has turned in the license for 106.3 KQBD Bunker MO. KQBD went silent in October 2021 for “technical reasons”.
