On February 14, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC,” or the “Commission”) released a Report and Order in which it eliminated the requirement that certain broadcast television and radio stations file a Broadcast Mid-Term Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Report (Form 397). As we reported back in January, the FCC found that the Form 397 reporting … Continue Reading
On January 3, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released a proposed Report and Order which would eliminate the requirement that certain broadcast television and radio stations file a Broadcast Mid-Term EEO Report (Form 397). The Commission released the proposed Report and Order for adoption at its public meeting scheduled for January … Continue Reading
In March 2018, the FCC proposed eliminating the Equal Employment Opportunity Mid-Term Report (also known as Form 397) and now those wishing to voice their opinions can do so until April 30. As we’ve discussed before, this is part of the FCC’s ongoing Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative (spearheaded by Chairman Pai). Currently, Form 397 … Continue Reading
A couple-three years ago, we warned readers that FCC staff were browsing the websites of broadcast stations, checking for compliance with the EEO rules. It appears that that practice continues.… Continue Reading
Here's an opportunity for the FCC to clean up at least one aspect of its EEO "Broadcast Mid-Term Report" (FCC Form 397) that seems oddly and unnecessarily confusing, if not flat-out inconsistent.… Continue Reading
Big Brother may be watching you. The FCC's staff appears still to be surfing around various broadcaster websites, checking for compliance.… Continue Reading
Last month, in a blog posting about apparent FCC monitoring of station websites (to see if stations’ Form 397s – the mid-term EEO report – are being posted on those websites), we indicated that Form 397 is required to be posted on the website of each station required to submit a Form 397. That was based … Continue Reading
By now all radio and TV licensees with "station employment units" (SEUs) having five or more full-time employees should be in the habit of preparing the annual EEO report that must be placed in the station’s local public inspection file each year on the anniversary of the due date for their renewal application. Those annual reports … Continue Reading
