DA 18-1131
Released:  November 5, 2018

MEDIA BUREAU REMINDS RADIO BROADCASTERS OF ONLINE PUBLIC FILE REQUIREMENTS
Media Bureau Will Activate All Remaining Accounts on November 15, 2018


MB Docket No. 14-127 

Pursuant to the Expanded Online Public File Order, all broadcast radio licensees were required to transition their public inspection files to the Commission’s online public file database by March 1, 2018. Expansion of Online Public File Obligations to Cable and Satellite TV Operators and Broadcast and Satellite Radio Licensees, Report and Order, 31 FCC Rcd 526 (2016) (“Expanded Online Public File Order”).  We note that certain stations requested additional time to come into compliance.  Those stations were granted a limited extension, which has now expired. Expansion of Online Public File Obligations to Cable and Satellite TV Operators and Broadcast and Satellite Radio Licensees, Requests for Additional Time to Comply With the Online Public Inspection File Requirement, Order, DA 18-412 (MB April 24, 2018).
  This Public Notice is a reminder to all radio broadcast stations of that obligation.
For radio broadcast stations that have not activated their public inspection file account to make files available to the public, the Media Bureau will activate all remaining accounts on November 15, 2018.  The Media Bureau also reminds licensees of the obligation to immediately place all required documents in the online public file.  Stations are required to post all public file material except political file material created before March 1, 2018 for a defined subgroup of resource constrained stations. All NCE radio broadcast stations, commercial radio broadcast stations in the top 50 markets with fewer than five fulltime employees, and all commercial radio broadcast stations in markets below the top 50 or outside all markets were required to place public file materials in the online public file for any material created after March 1, 2018.  These stations may voluntarily upload political file material created before March 1, 2018 or retain them locally for the mandatory two-year retention period.  Id. at 537-539.  All other stations were required to begin using the public file by June 24, 2016.  See Effective Date Announced for Expanded Online Public Inspection File Database, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd 4699 (MB 2016).  Because these stations have been required to use the online public file for more than two years, all political file material for these stations should now be available in their online public inspection file.

Members of the public and broadcasters will find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the FCC’s website (https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/) if they have questions. For further information, you can also contact the Licensing Support Helpline at (877) 480-3201 option 2, or (717) 338-2824 (TTY). The Helpline is available to assist with questions Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. You may also submit requests and report any errors or problems with the online sites at https://esupport.fcc.gov/request.htm.  In order to provide better service, all calls to the Helpline are recorded. 
For additional information about online public file requirements, contact Michael Wagner, Michael.Wagner@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2775.  Press contact: Janice Wise (202- 418-8165; Janice.Wise@fcc.gov).
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