Media Contact: 
Katie Gorscak
Katie.gorscak@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ISSUES NINE WARNINGS TO BOSTON-AREA LANDOWNERS FOR ILLEGAL PIRATE RADIO BROADCASTS
Landowners Prohibited from Aiding Pirate Radio Operations Under PIRATE Act
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WASHINGTON, December 1, 2023—The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau today issued nine warnings to landowners in the Boston area for apparently allowing illegal broadcasting from their properties.  The FCC may issue a fine exceeding $2 million if it determines that a party continues to permit any individual or entity to engage in pirate radio broadcasting from any property that they own or manage.

“Property owners that continue to allow pirate radio operations on their properties can face serious consequences because these illegal operations can interfere with licensed broadcast signals and their ability to provide emergency alert system notifications,” said Loyaan A. Egal, Chief of the Enforcement Bureau. “Thank you to the field agents in the Boston area who work to ensure compliance with federal law in this area.”

The Notices of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting sent today target properties identified by Enforcement Bureau field agents as sources of pirate radio transmissions.  These notices formally notify landowners of the illegal broadcasting activity occurring on their property; inform landowners of their potential liability for permitting such activity to occur on their property; demand proof that the illegal broadcasting has ceased on the property; and request identification of the individual(s) engaged in the illegal broadcasting.  

The PIRATE Act provides the FCC with additional enforcement authority, including higher penalties against pirate radio broadcasters of up to inflation-adjusted amounts of $115,802 per day with a maximum of $2,316,034.  In addition to tougher fines on violators, the law requires the FCC to conduct periodic enforcement sweeps and grants the Commission authority to take enforcement action against landlords and property owners that willfully and knowingly permit pirate radio broadcasting on their properties.

The Notices of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting are available at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-warns-boston-landowners-illegal-pirate-radio-broadcasts.

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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).