Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

CHAIRMAN PAI STATEMENT ON THE PIRATE ACT
Chairman Welcomes New Law for Fighting Illegal Broadcasting
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WASHINGTON, January 27, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement about President Trump signing the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act (PIRATE) Act into law:

“Pirate radio is unlawful, period.  These transmissions can interfere with licensed radio signals—including broadcasters’ sharing of vital public safety information with their communities.  To enforce the law and protect American radio listeners and lawful businesses, the FCC has made a concerted effort in recent years to step up our enforcement efforts against pirate radio stations.  I’m very proud of this work—led by our Enforcement Bureau and its outstanding field staff.  

“The PIRATE Act provides the FCC with additional tools to combat pirate radio, and I thank President Trump for signing it into law.  I also applaud Congress for working in a bipartisan manner to fight back against illegal broadcasting.  Specifically, thank you to Senator Daines and Congressman Tonko for their leadership in seeing this important piece of legislation through.  The FCC will continue to be an aggressive cop on the beat, cracking down on illegal broadcasting.”

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Office of Chairman Pai: (202) 418-1000 / Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC / www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai

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).