FCC Opens Investigation into NPR and PBS

[Theater of My Mind]

The quoted passage says they will review complaints. The letter that set this off contained no complaints.

So they're already operating outside their own guidelines. Then there's the issue of a fine, which Commissioner Simington says the commission can't levy.

Define "can't." How many things "can't" a president do that have been done in the past six weeks anyway?

As for whether the letter contained no complaints, it's not unexpected to see our government bend or break longstanding rules to do what it wants right now, is it? It seems the rules are outweighed by "intent" at so many levels in this administration. So it's fair to ask, what is the intent of this?

 

[TheBigA]

Define "can't." How many things "can't" a president do that have been done in the past six weeks anyway?

I'll let Nathan Simington explain his views himself:

Simington Vows Dissent From All Cash Forfeitures Post-Jarkesy in Kidvid Fine Opposition

communicationsdaily.com

“I call on the Commission to open a Notice of Inquiry to determine the new constitutional contours of Commission enforcement authority,” Simington wrote.

So it's fair to ask, what is the intent of this?

My guess is to demonstrate power.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

My guess is to demonstrate power.

That seems like it would be the best-case scenario.

Of course, the other possibility is that the FCC's intent is to enact such a militant interpretation of sponsorship rules that it makes it less attractive for corporations to give their sponsorship money to public media because of the tighter restrictions on what they can say in their announcements. That, combined with possible large fines from the trumped-up investigation could inflict heavy financial damage on media outlets that don't exist to solely support the president's messaging.

Then, if the Republican-controlled Congress finally succeeds in defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the combination of all these things could end up causing many of the public media outlets that the president and Republicans don't like to become financially unviable, and shut down. Could that be the intent?

 

[TheBigA]

Of course, the other possibility is that the FCC's intent is to enact such a militant interpretation of sponsorship rules that it makes it less attractive for corporations to give their sponsorship money to public media because of the tighter restrictions on what they can say in their announcements.

It's been my experience that companies that choose to fund public broadcasting do so because they have an appreciation for the mission. A lot of them could easily afford to buy actual commercials on for profit stations. They prefer this audience and this environment. That's what they're supporting, and they want others to know they support it. That support alone is good business.

Then, if the Republican-controlled Congress finally succeeds in defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the combination of all these things could end up causing many of the public media outlets that the president and Republicans don't like to become financially unviable, and shut down. Could that be the intent?

Perhaps. If so, the politicians underestimate the passion of those in public broadcasting. It's not a job, it's not a business, it's a mission.

 

[TheBigA]

Meanwhile, South Carolina Public Broadcasting says they will be cutting back on NPR programming, and doing more local news:

South Carolina public broadcaster to reduce NPR programming

South Carolina Public Radio aims to air more local programming.

current.org

This is always an option. NPR doesn't control the stations, it's the other way around. SCPR is owned by the state of South Carolina.

It will be hard for them, because a huge portion of their day is filled with NPR programming. But they receive about $3 million in CPB funding.

 

[ted chittenden]

Meanwhile, South Carolina Public Broadcasting says they will be cutting back on NPR programming, and doing more local news:

South Carolina public broadcaster to reduce NPR programming

South Carolina Public Radio aims to air more local programming.

current.org

This is always an option. NPR doesn't control the stations, it's the other way around. SCPR is owned by the state of South Carolina.

It will be hard for them, because a huge portion of their day is filled with NPR programming. But they receive about $3 million in CPB funding.

What is interesting is that SCPR has two networks: one primarily news and talk and the other primarily classical. But the classical network does carry some of the NPR news programming because at least two of the cities it serves (Greenville and Charleston) do not have local stations carrying the News/talk feed (though I believe the Beaufort station carrying the news/talk feed can be heard in parts of Charleston).

Also, in years past, Wisconsin Public Radio, based out of Madison, and Minnesota Public Radio, based out of Minneapolis, have replaced some of the national news/talk programming with local programs, though I don't know how that has affected their ratings.

All of that said, I agree with you about the costs. In addition, South Carolina is a deeply Republican state and the legislature may balk at providing funds to hire more local journalists to cover the funds lost from the CPB from now likely Federal budget cuts. Adding to that (and this will affect the NPR stations whose programming is primarily music nationwide), the CPB has been (and please correct me if I'm wrong) paying their DMCA license fees for streaming on the Internet. If that service is cut off, we may see a silencing of primarily music-based public radio stations on the web.

 

[gr8oldies]

That seems like it would be the best-case scenario.

Of course, the other possibility is that the FCC's intent is to enact such a militant interpretation of sponsorship rules that it makes it less attractive for corporations to give their sponsorship money to public media because of the tighter restrictions on what they can say in their announcements. That, combined with possible large fines from the trumped-up investigation could inflict heavy financial damage on media outlets that don't exist to solely support the president's messaging.

Then, if the Republican-controlled Congress finally succeeds in defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the combination of all these things could end up causing many of the public media outlets that the president and Republicans don't like to become financially unviable, and shut down. Could that be the intent?

Donald Trump and his administration want to shut down all criticism. No surprise if that's the intention.

 

[TheBigA]

the CPB has been (and please correct me if I'm wrong) paying their DMCA license fees for streaming on the Internet. If that service is cut off, we may see a silencing of primarily music-based public radio stations on the web.

I'm pretty sure that there is a discount for non-commercial radio, and there may also be a discount for NPR member stations. I think NPR negotiates a group discount for publishing royalties. Not aware that CPB pays license fees. They tend to make specific grants to specific organizations for specific things. One might be music licensing, but that doesn't ring a bell. The NPR membership isn't required to receive CPB funding. So if they get CPB funding for licensing, that would continue as long as CPB is around. I'm seeing that the House is about to pass another continuing resolution that would likely keep CPB funded until September.

There is a lot of history between SCETV and NPR. Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz was a weekly radio show that began at SCETV and was distributed by NPR for many years until her death. As you say, they still do a lot of music programming. Some of these southern stations are feeling a lot of political pressure these days. It depends on the state. But I know Georgia and Louisiana also have state-owned public radio systems. We may see more of this because it's really up to the stations if they carry NPR news.

 

[gr8oldies]

Thi

I'm pretty sure that there is a discount for non-commercial radio, and there may also be a discount for NPR member stations. I think NPR negotiates a group discount for publishing royalties. Not aware that CPB pays license fees. They tend to make specific grants to specific organizations for specific things. One might be music licensing, but that doesn't ring a bell. The NPR membership isn't required to receive CPB funding. So if they get CPB funding for licensing, that would continue as long as CPB is around. I'm seeing that the House is about to pass another continuing resolution that would likely keep CPB funded until September.

There is a lot of history between SCETV and NPR. Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz was a weekly radio show that began at SCETV and was distributed by NPR for many years until her death. As you say, they still do a lot of music programming. Some of these southern stations are feeling a lot of political pressure these days. It depends on the state. But I know Georgia and Louisiana also have state-owned public radio systems. We may see more of this because it's really up to the stations if they carry NPR news.

This was from 2017, but I'd expect more stories like this. Chattanooga radio reporter fired, blames lawmakers

 

[ted chittenden]

I'm pretty sure that there is a discount for non-commercial radio, and there may also be a discount for NPR member stations. I think NPR negotiates a group discount for publishing royalties. Not aware that CPB pays license fees. They tend to make specific grants to specific organizations for specific things. One might be music licensing, but that doesn't ring a bell. The NPR membership isn't required to receive CPB funding. So if they get CPB funding for licensing, that would continue as long as CPB is around. I'm seeing that the House is about to pass another continuing resolution that would likely keep CPB funded until September.
You are partially correct. There are discount rates for noncommercial broadcasters streaming over the Internet. However, if you look at

Music Rights: About the Agreements | CPB

cpb.org

you will learn that CPB does, in fact, negotiate royalty rates not only with Soundexchange (the site says the rates are confidential) but also with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, among others. And, if I'm reading the information correctly, CPB will pay these rates, provided that the stations are registered CPB affiliates and provided they keep accurate logs of what they play.

 

[TheBigA]

you will learn that CPB does, in fact, negotiate royalty rates not only with Soundexchange (the site says the rates are confidential) but also with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, among others. And, if I'm reading the information correctly, CPB will pay these rates, provided that the stations are registered CPB affiliates and provided they keep accurate logs of what they play.

I wasn't aware of who paid the fees. Perhaps it should be brought to the attention of the people in congress who want to defund CPB. There are a lot of misconceptions about what CPB does.

 

[TheBigA]

FCC Chairman Carr is concerned about local news coverage

Brendan Carr: FCC Needs To ‘Move Very Quickly’ To Help Local Broadcasters.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr is giving a strong indication which way the regulatory winds are blowing at the Federal Communications Commission as it approaches the still-pending 2022 quadrennial media ownership

www.insideradio.com

It seems contradictory to me for Carr to be concerned about local news, and at the same time advocating the defunding of CPB which specifically funds local public radio and their news coverage. Perhaps he should speak with the folks at CPB before believing all the misinformation he gets from the far right.

If he's so concerned about local news, he should be in favor of them receiving funding.

 

[Delete My Account]

It depends on what the meaning of "news" is. Carr has a different definition than journalists.

 

[TheBigA]

If you're wondering where Brendan Carr got the idea that NPR & PBS stations air commercials, it's on page 248 of Project 2025:

NPR and PBS stations are in reality no longer noncommercial, as they run ads in everything but name for their sponsors. They are also noneducational. The next President should instruct the FCC to exclude the stations affiliated with PBS and NPR from the NCE denomination and the privileges that come with it.

Carr used that information in his letters to the CEOs of NPR & PBS. The CEOs informed Carr that they follow the FCC guidelines on funding announcements, and they've all been approved by the lawyers as conforming to those guidelines.

 

[KeithE4]

If you're wondering where Brendan Carr got the idea that NPR & PBS stations air commercials...

I don't know how many stations did so, but I can verify that WTTW Chicago aired commercials between programs in roughly the 1985-94 time frame. I don't know how long it continued. I left Chicago in 1994.

 

[TheBigA]

I can verify that WTTW Chicago aired commercials between programs in roughly the 1985-94 time frame.

I don't think this investigation is going that far back. There was a time when WNET in NY was an actual commercial station.

WTTW also owns a commercial radio station: WFMT

 

[Jean Luc]

Some public radio stations do not hold a non-commercial license, those on the AM band and those above 92 MHz on the FM band.

WHYY-TV in Philadelphia took over a channel allocation previously held by Storer Broadcasting.

New York Public Media's stations operate without non-commercial licenses (830 KHz, 93.9 MHz and 105.9 MHz).

 

[ted chittenden]

WTTW also owns a commercial radio station: WFMT

I just checked, and you are correct--WFMT-FM is listed as a commercial station in the commercial bands. This might cause some problems for some classical public radio stations as they carry WFMT's Beethoven Satellite Network as an alternative service to Minnesota Public Radio's Classical24 service.

 

[ted chittenden]

Some public radio stations do not hold a non-commercial license, those on the AM band and those above 92 MHz on the FM band.

WHYY-TV in Philadelphia took over a channel allocation previously held by Storer Broadcasting.

New York Public Media's stations operate without non-commercial licenses (830 KHz, 93.9 MHz and 105.9 MHz).

And you are correct about the WNYC stations. While it is possible to apply for, and become, a noncommercial radio station in the commercial bands, WNYC didn't do it. However, because the owners of WNYC are also operating New Jersy Public Radio (all of whose stations are in the noncommercial part of the radio spectrum) and because it carries NPR programming, I do not expect to hear (and, in fact, have never heard) anything other than sponsorships for programming on those stations.

 

[TheBigA]

Some public radio stations do not hold a non-commercial license, those on the AM band and those above 92 MHz on the FM band.

Licenses in the commercial band can be converted to non-commercial. That's what EMF has done on several occasions. WPLJ is a non-commercial station in the commercial band. Same with WBAI, WAWZ, and WNYC.

The quote I posted from Project 2025 made a claim that PBS stations are not non-commercial. There is no non-commercial educational section of the TV spectrum. That only exists for radio. So it's possible for PBS TV stations to air commercials. There are also many non-commercial religious stations operating in the commercial band. Does that mean the FCC is now going to do an investigation of religious radio?

The writer of the CPB chapter obviously didn't do his homework. He made a number of mistakes in his chapter. He completely ignored the changes in the public broadcasting act made during the administration of Ronald Reagan. Perhaps that's why the FCC's Carr is unaware of how the CPB funding works. He is holding NPR and CPB responsible for the operations of their affiliates, which is not correct.

I just checked, and you are correct--WFMT-FM is listed as a commercial station in the commercial bands. This might cause some problems for some classical public radio stations as they carry WFMT's Beethoven Satellite Network as an alternative service to Minnesota Public Radio's Classical24 service.

Beethoven is simply a music service. It's possible for companies to own commercial and non-commercial operations. The music programming can be adapted for commercial or non-commercial use. See this from the networks description:

Designed for you and your listeners, all Beethoven Network hours can be fully customized as your local program product. The service features flexibility in each hourly module, permitting network or local break opportunities, top-of-the-hour news, underwriting credits or commercials and local program promotions.