*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 39628* DA 04- 1818 Released: June 28, 2004 Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 June 21, 2004 In Reply Refer to: 1800B3- KV NAL/ Acct No. MB- AD20041810065 FRN: 0007637481 CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Joseph C. Chautin, Esq. Hardy, Carey & Chautin, LLP 110 Veterans Highway Suite 300 Metairie, LA 70005 In re: WGSO( AM), New Orleans, LA WGSO, L. L. C. Facility ID No. 52433 File No. BR- 20040202AGY Dear Mr. Chautin: This letter refers to the captioned application of WGSO, L. L. C. (“ WGSO”) for renewal of license for station WGSO( AM), New Orleans, Louisiana. For the reasons set forth below, we issue a NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABLILITY FOR A FORFEITURE to WGSO for violation of the Commission’s rule regarding a broadcast station’s public inspection file, 47 C. F. R. Section 73.3526, and we grant the WGSO( AM) license renewal application. Public file rule violation. Section III, Item 3 of the license renewal application form, FCC Form 303- S, requests that the licensee certify that the documentation required by Section 73.3526 has been placed in the station’s public inspection file at the appropriate times. WGSO indicated “No” to that certification, attaching an Exhibit explaining that after reviewing its public file in preparation for the filing of its renewal application, WGSO discovered that the following were missing: the Quarterly Programs and Issues Reports from September 2000 through January 2003, and WGSO’s contour map; also the 2003 Biennial Ownership report was untimely placed in the public file. The licensee states that it took immediate corrective action and has since compiled and filed Quarterly Issues Reports and has placed a new contour map in its public file. WGSO also states that during September 2000 – January 2003, the relevant time period, WGSO provided public interest programming. 1 2 Section 73.3526 of the Commission’s Rules requires broadcast licensees to maintain a public inspection file containing specific types of information related to station operations. The purpose of this requirement is to provide the public with timely information at regular intervals throughout the license period. 1 In this regard, where lapses occur in maintaining the public file, neither the negligent acts or omissions of station employees or agents, nor the subsequent remedial actions undertaken by the licensee, excuse or nullify a licensee’s rule violation. 2 Section 503( b) of the Communications Act, 47 U. S. C. § 503( b) and Section 1.80( a) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 1.80( a), each state that any person who willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with the provisions of the Communications Act or the Commission’s rules shall be liable for a forfeiture penalty. For purposes of Section 503( b) of the Communications Act, the term “willful” means that the violator knew it was taking the action in question, irrespective of any intent to violate the Commission’s rules. 3 A continuing violation is “repeated” if it lasts more than one day. 4 The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy Statement sets a base forfeiture amount of $10,000 for public file violations. 5 In this case, the violations were admitted to the Commission in the context of the license renewal application, and the licensee has corrected the violation and instituted measures to prevent its recurrence. On the other hand, this violation continued from September 2000 until January 2003, a period of well over two years. Considering the record as a whole, we believe that a $10,000 forfeiture would be appropriate for the violation in this case. 6 However, in light of the licensee’s voluntary disclosure, we are reducing the forfeiture by $1,000, for a total forfeiture of $9,000. 7 License renewal application. In evaluating an application for license renewal, the Commission’s decision is governed by Section 309( k) of the Communications Act. That section provides that if, upon consideration of the application and pleadings, we find that (1) the station has served the public interest, convenience, and necessity; (2) there have been no serious violations of the Communications Act or the Commission’s Rules; and (3) there have been no 1 Cf. Letter to Kathleen N. Benfield from Linda B. Blair, Chief, Audio Services Division (April 3, 1997), 13 FCC Rcd 4102 (1997) citing License Renewal Applications of Certain Commercial Radio Stations, 8 FCC Rcd 6400 (1993). 2 See Padre Serra Communications, Inc., 14 FCC Rcd 9709 (1999)( citing Gaffney Broadcasting, Inc., 23 F. C. C. 2d 912, 913 (1970)(“ Padre”) and Eleven Ten Broadcasting Corp., 33 F. C. C. 706 (1962)); Surrey Front Range Limited Partnership, 71 RR 2d 882 (FOB 1992) (“ Surrey”). 3 See Southern California Broadcasting Co., 6 FCC Rcd 4387, 4387- 4388 (1991). 4 Id., 6 FCC Rcd at 4388. 5 The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy Statement and Amendment of Section 1.80 of the Commission’s Rules, 12 FCC Rcd 17087, 17113 (1997), recon. denied, 15 FCC Rcd 303 (1999). 6 See Dick Broadcasting Company, Inc. of Tennessee, 19 FCC Rcd 6319 (MB 2004); Pacific Spanish Network, Inc., 14 FCC Rcd 10021 (MMB 1991); and Padre. 7 See Surrey. 2 3 other violations which, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse, we are to grant the renewal application. 8 If, however, the licensee fails to meet that standard, the Commission may deny the application – after notice and opportunity for a hearing under Section 309( e) of the Act – or grant the application “on terms and conditions that are appropriate, including a renewal for a term less than the maximum otherwise permitted.” 9 The public inspection file rule serves the critical function of making available to the public important information regarding programs that provided a station’s most significant treatment of community issues during the license term. On balance, however, we find that WGSO’s violation of Section 73.3526 does not constitute a “serious violation” of the Commission’s rules warranting designation for evidentiary hearing. Moreover, we find no evidence of violations that, when considered together, evidence a pattern of abuse. 10 Further, we find that station WGSO served the public interest, convenience, and necessity during the subject license term. We will therefore grant the license renewal application below. 11 Conclusion/ Actions. For the reasons set forth above, and pursuant to Section 503 (b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U. S. C. Section 503( b), and Sections 0.283 and 1.80 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 U. S. C. §§ 0.283 and 1.80, WGSO, L. L. C. is hereby advised of its apparent liability for a forfeiture of $9,000 for willfully and repeatedly violating Section 73.3526. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 1.80 of the Commission’s rules, that within thirty days of the release of this Notice, WGSO, L. L. C. SHALL PAY to the United States the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture. Payment of the forfeiture may be made by credit card through the Commission's Revenue and Receivables Operations Group at (202) 418- 1995 or by mailing a check or similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission, to the Forfeiture Collection Section, Finance Branch, Federal Communications Commission, P. O. Box 73482, Chicago, 8 47 U. S. C. § 309( k)( 1). The renewal standard was amended to read as described by Section 204( a) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104- 104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996). See Order, Implementation of Sections 204( a) and 204( c) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Broadcast License Renewal Procedures), 11 FCC Rcd 6363 (1996). 9 47 U. S. C. §§ 309( k)( 2), 309( k)( 3). 10 For example, we do not find here that the licensee's station operation "was conducted in an exceedingly careless, inept and negligent manner and that the licensee is either incapable of correcting or unwilling to correct the operating deficiencies." See Heart of the Black Hills Stations, 32 F. C. C. 2d 196, 198 (1971). Nor do we find on the record here that "the number, nature and extent" of the violations indicate that "the licensee cannot be relied upon to operate [the station] in the future in accordance with the requirements of its licenses and the Commission's Rules." Heart of the Black Hills Stations, 32 F. C. C. 2d at 200. See also Center for Study and Application of Black Economic Development, 6 FCC Rcd 4622 (1991), Calvary Educational Broadcasting Network, Inc., 7 FCC Rcd 4037 (1992). 11 See 47 U. S. C. § 309( k). 3 4 Illinois 60673- 7482. The payment should note the NAL/ Acct. No. (MB- AD20041810065) and the FCC Registration Number (“ FRN”) (0007637481) referenced above. The response, if any, must be mailed to Peter H. Doyle, Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Room 2- A360, Washington, D. C. 20554 and MUST INCLUDE the NAL/ Account number (MB-AD20041810065) and the FRN (0007637481) referenced in the caption of this document. The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a claim of inability to pay unless the petitioner submits: (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices (“ GAAP”); or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the petitioner’s current financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial documentation submitted. Requests for payment of the full amount of this Notice of Apparent Liability under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief, Revenue and Receivables Operations Group, 445 12th Street, S. W., Washington, D. C. 20554. 12 Finally, IT IS ORDERED, that the application (File No. BR- 20040202AGY) of WGSO, L. L. C. for renewal of license for station WGSO( AM), New Orleans, Louisiana IS GRANTED. Sincerely, Peter H. Doyle, Chief Audio Division Media Bureau cc: WGSO, LLC 12 See 47 C. F. R. § 1.1914. 4