Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
ALASKA BROADCASTER FACES PROPOSED FINE FOR 
APPARENT VIOLATIONS OF COMMISSION RULES
FM Station Apparently Failed to Maintain Public Records, Respond to Agency 
Inquiries, and Meet Obligations Related to the Emergency Alert System
  --
WASHINGTON, July 19, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission today issued a 
proposed $66,000 fine against FM radio station licensee Kenai Educational Media in Seward, 
Alaska for numerous apparent violations of FCC rules, including actions that undermine the 
effectiveness of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  Broadcasters have very important
obligations related to EAS, a critical system for ensuring the public can receive accurate and 
expedient alerts and warnings during times of local and national emergencies.
Kenai Educational Media, which operates KIBH-FM, was notified on multiple occasions by the 
FCC that it had programmed its EAS equipment messages for a radio station serving a different 
geographic area than that served by Kenai, was failing to monitor at least two EAS sources, and 
did not keep EAS operation information available to staff as required.  Broadcasters that are 
licensed by the FCC have important obligations to their communities to be prepared to participate 
in the EAS system as needed. Although most licensees take this responsibility seriously and 
serve their communities as key outlets for emergency warnings and alerts, a broadcaster’s failure 
to meet these FCC requirements is a serious offense which can pose real dangers for their 
communities. 
In addition to its apparent EAS violations, the broadcaster also apparently violated a number of 
broadcast station rules, such as maintaining required records.  Lastly, the broadcaster also failed 
to respond to several Commission inquiries.  An agent from the Commission’s Anchorage field 
office discovered the violations and issued a notice to the Licensee.  Following numerous such 
notices and no response from the Licensee, the agency is moving forward with issuing today’s 
proposed fine. 
The proposed fine is formally known as a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, and the
broadcaster will have 30 days to respond.  The Commission will then review the response and 
any additional evidence, and may then proceed to issue a final forfeiture.
The Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture is available at:  
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-98A1.pdf
Action by the Commission July 17, 2017 by Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (FCC 17-
98).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly approving.
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
ASL Videophone: 1-844-432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).