Failing to timely file a broadcast television station’s TV quarterly issues/programs lists, or “IP Lists,” is a fine offense, as the FCC sees it.
As such, an ABC affiliate owned by TEGNA must pay up for its tardiness.
KVUE-24 in Austin faces a $6,000 monetary forfeiture after staff in the Media Bureau’s Video Division inspected the station’s Online Public Inspection File (OPIF).
This yielded the fact that KVUE had failed to upload copies of its IP Lists for a total of 12 quarters by the deadline. How tardy was KVUE? The FCC found that the station uploaded two lists more than one year late, six lists between one month and one year late, and four lists between one day and one month late.
What happened? TEGNA explained that to the Commission in its March 31, 2022, license renewal application — bringing another case of self-incrimination for cash to the FCC’s budget benefit.
As TEGNA sees it, KVUE’s failure to timely file its IP Lists was inadvertent and due to “[t]he responsible person” being “new to the position and [] unfamiliar with the requirements at the time they were due.”
That’s no excuse for the rule violation, Video Division Chief Barbara Kreisman concluded. However, a reduction from the base forfeiture amount of $10,000 was granted.
TEGNA now has 30 days to request a reduction or cancellation of the fine, or make full payment of the forfeiture.
