Federal Communications Commission	DA 25-507


DA 25-507
Released:  June 10, 2025

Media Bureau Announces Federal Register Publication of Revised Sponsorship Identification Requirements for Foreign Government-Provided Programming
MB Docket No. 20-299

On June 10, 2024, the Commission released rule modifications to the sponsorship identification requirements for foreign government-provided programming, which require a public disclosure to be made, at the time of broadcast, identifying the foreign source of such programming (Second Report and Order). Sponsorship Identification Requirements for Foreign Government-Provided Programming, MB Docket No. 20-299, Second Report and Order, 39 FCC Rcd 6049 (2024) (Second Report and Order).
  The Second Report and Order adopted a revised approach that provides radio and television broadcast licensees with two options for demonstrating that they have met their duty of inquiry in seeking to obtain the information needed to determine whether programming is sponsored, paid for, or furnished by a foreign governmental entity.  In addition, the Second Report and Order specified the types of programming encompassed by the foreign sponsorship identification rules and clarified the obligations of section 325(c) permittees under the rules.    
In a previous Public Notice, Media Bureau Announces Publication of Second Report and Order Regarding Sponsorship Identification Requirements for Foreign Government-Provided Programming, Public Notice, DA 24-689, 39 FCC Rcd 7460, at para. 2 (MB July 16, 2024) (July PN).
 the Media Bureau (Bureau) announced that a summary of the Second Report and Order was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2024. The rule modifications to 47 CFR § 73.1212 that involved the addition of paragraph (j)(8) and the revision of paragraph (k) became effective on August 15, 2024. Federal Communications Commission, Sponsorship Identification Requirements for Foreign Government-Provided Programming, Notice of Final Rule, 89 Fed. Reg. 57775 (July 16, 2024). 
  The Public Notice also indicated that the Bureau would publish a subsequent Public Notice announcing the compliance date for modifications to 47 CFR § 73.1212(j)(3) adopted in the Second Report and Order, which required review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act. July PN at para. 3.
   
By this Public Notice, the Bureau announces that OMB has approved the rule modifications which revise requirements under 47 CFR § 73.1212(j)(3). Notice of Office of Management and Budget Action, Revision of a Currently Approved Collection, OMB Control No. 3060-0174 (May 19, 2025).
  Accordingly, these revised requirements are now effective as of June 10, 2025. Federal Communications Commission, Sponsorship Identification Requirements for Foreign Government-Provided Programming, Notice of Final Rule, 90 Fed. Reg. 24351 (June 10, 2025).
  However, the Bureau defers requiring compliance with the revised rules under 47 CFR § 73.1212(j)(3) until 6 months after June 10, 2025, or December 8, 2025.  Only new leases and renewals of existing leases entered into on or after the compliance date must comply with the rule modifications. Second Report and Order at 6051, para. 3.



- FCC - 


2