Incomplete public file records have tripped up KHRR(TV), Tucson, Arizona.
Licensee Telemundo could be on the hook for several thousand dollars.
Each commercial television licensee is required to prepare and place in its public inspection file a Children’s Television Programming Report (FCC Form 398) for each calendar quarter reflecting the efforts that it made during that quarter to serve the educational and informational needs of children. Owners must also file the reports with the commission in the station’s online public file and publicize the existence and location of the reports.
When KHRR filed for its license renewal, Telemundo noted the reports were inadvertently dropped from the broadcast schedule and not aired for Q1 2010 and all of 2012. The station resumed airing the announcements and filing the reports in 2013 and now has a process in place to ensure future compliance.
However, the commission says because the reports were missed for 5 quarters, it’s recommending KHRR pay a $2,000 fine. The base fine is $8,000 however the agency felt a lower amount was appropriate, given how many reports were missed.
KHRR has 30 days to pay or appeal.
