Today, the FCC released a Report and Order (Order), updating the political programming and recordkeeping rules for broadcast licensees, cable television system operators, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service providers, and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) licensees. The Order revises the definition of “legally qualified candidate for public office” to add the use of social … Continue Reading
With primaries in some states happening as soon as March, the 2018 election cycle is certain to be contentious and hard-fought. Now is the time for broadcasters to review their systems to ensure that they will be in compliance with the FCC’s political advertising requirements. Now that all broadcast stations are required to place political … Continue Reading
If you missed our recent webinar (featuring FCC political broadcasting guru Bobby Baker) covering All Things Political Broadcasting, don’t worry. You can attend ex post facto, in absentia (if that’s such a thing), by listening to the whole two-hour production online. Just click on this link. As with folks who attended the live event, you’ll … Continue Reading
Ready or not, here it comes: Campaign 2016. FHH presents the FCC’s political guru, Bobby Baker, to help broadcasters get themselves ready. If you thought 2015 was some kind of something when it came to politics, you can expect 2016 to be even more. Things are about to get considerably more serious on the campaign … Continue Reading
The 2015 elections are now in the books, but the 2016 election season, featuring federal campaigns (Presidential, Vice Presidential, Congressional) galore, is already upon us. Now’s a good time to be sure you’ve got a handle on the rules. The 2016 elections are a year away, but the race for presidential nominations is already heating … Continue Reading
If you’ve been watching TV, or reading news (whether on the Intertubes or the old-fashioned way), or eavesdropping on conversations on the subway, you probably know that we’re already in the middle of the Next Election Season (even though the Next Election happens to be more than 13 months away). Because it’s never too early … Continue Reading
When TV stations' local public inspection files went online, their ubiquitous availability was expected to attract an influx of complaints thanks to easy Internet access to the once distant files. The complaints have started.… Continue Reading
The Ninth Circuit en banc has affirmed the constitutionality of Section 399b's ban on advertising - including political and "issue" advertising - on noncommercial stations. But a vigorous dissent could have major implications for broadcasters' First Amendment protections.… Continue Reading
With Campaign 2012 heading for the finish line, here's a quick recap of some of the rules with which broadcasters should be familiar as last-minute political buys start to flood in.… Continue Reading
