FCC Flags Ownership, Public File Issues At Mississippi AM.
The FCC has agreed to give SPB’s “Awesome AM 980” WABG Greenwood, MS a new license despite finding that the company violated multiple rules, including an unauthorized 2015 transfer of
Here are the details of how WABG-AM was hit with FCC complaints related to how "false statements" were in the permits.
The Federal Communications Commission has renewed the license of an AM in Mississippi while simultaneously finding multiple rule violations, including an unauthorized transfer of control and false statements to the agency. Even so, SPB’s “Awesome AM 980” WABG Greenwood, MS will still be on the air with its blues format after entering into a consent decree that resolves the violations and imposes compliance obligations.
At the center of the case is a 2015 ownership change that the FCC determined should have received prior approval. The Bureau found that one of the station’s principals, Bennie Wells, acquired the interests of the other two members — ultimately gaining full control — without filing the required transfer application and securing regulatory approval.
The Media Bureau also found WABG failed to meet several ongoing regulatory obligations. It says SPB did not upload required quarterly issues/programs lists to its online public inspection file, and the station failed to file multiple biennial ownership reports over several years. In addition, the Bureau concludes the company made false certifications in its license renewal application by stating it had complied with those requirements during the license term.