FCC Investigating Audacy's KCBS

[TheBigA]

I see nothing wrong here from what the station reported it is not any different from a tv news cast reporting live.

Correct. Nothing wrong or different. But a right wing social media influencer managed to get the attention of the FCC Chairman, who then twists the law to promote an agenda. That's what happens when negative social media becomes the driving force in policy. All of a sudden, the highest rated radio station in San Francisco is now a target.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

A long time ago I heard the term "regulation by raised eyebrow", wherein the FCC would hint that a particular action by broadcasters would be looked upon favorably (or unfavorably) at renewal time, even though no actual FCC rule applied. The implication was that broadcasters who engaged in unfavored actions might find their renewal application being examined more closely than it otherwise would be -- and even though they would still ultimately expect to get their license renewed, they really didn't want to face the additional hassle and delay.

This was back in a day (the 60s, and maybe into the 70s) when the FCC was far more activist in nature than it has been in recent years. It was also a day when the tone at the FCC was decidedly liberal, so the demands tended to reflect that political leaning.

Carr seems to be taking it one step further, as his approach seems more akin to "regulation by raised whip" than "regulation by raised eyebrow". And the subjects that seem to motivate him seem to crap on the First Amendment in a way that the FCC of the 60s and 70s never did -- back then, the objections were generally about what didn't get broadcast (ie, programming appealing to minority interests and concerns) versus what did. Carr, in contrast, seems to be directly attacking the editorial judgement of news broadcasters.

This is scary stuff.

True and also it will take Audacy’s legal team to challenge the FCC through congress and courts over these allegations. Also KCBS(AM)/KFRC-FM reporters did nothing wrong here. It’s the same thing other Audacy stations did when similar stuff happened in other parts of the country.

 

[radioislife2020]

Surprised they have not targeted a Spanish station. We have been alerting of Limones verdes for years and years.

 

[TheBigA]

Surprised they have not targeted a Spanish station. We have been alerting of Limones verdes for years and years.

It's not on their radar. Right wing social media hasn't jumped on it yet.

They're in a tough spot on Hispanics: They want to deport illegals, while still appealing to the legals.

 

[Weiserguy]

...All of a sudden, the highest rated radio station in San Francisco is now a target.

Well, technically, it's not. That's usually KQED. But we get your point. And since KQED usually covers more substantive (and non-"fires and crime") topics than KCBS does, it's not a stretch to expect someone to try ginning up some controversy to get Commandante Carr's attention too.

 

[TheBigA]

Well, technically, it's not. That's usually KQED. But we get your point. And since KQED usually covers more substantive (and non-"fires and crime") topics than KCBS does, it's not a stretch to expect someone to try ginning up some controversy to get Commandante Carr's attention too.

They already have, and its being discussed here:

https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/fcc-opens-investigation-into-npr-and-pbs.775043/

 

[Weiserguy]

They already have, and its being discussed here:

https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/fcc-opens-investigation-into-npr-and-pbs.775043/

I've been in that conversation too, but that's national. I'm talking local. They can try to intimidate Audacy by leaning on its San Francisco news station, but there is no corporate overlord for the local NPR station, it's its own entity.

BTW, how many more minutes before an amalgamation of the affected organizations file an "abuse of authority" lawsuit in the federal courts against Brendan Carr and "his" FCC? (There must be some statute like that in the federal code that addresses this kind of abusive prosecution.)

 

[TheBigA]

There must be some statute like that in the federal code that addresses this kind of abusive prosecution.

There's malicious prosecution or abuse of process.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

True and also it will take Audacy’s legal team to challenge the FCC through congress

And who controls Congress?

and courts

And who controls SCOTUS?

Also KCBS(AM)/KFRC-FM reporters did nothing wrong here.

That’s not relevant to fascists.

It’s the same thing other Audacy stations did when similar stuff happened in other parts of the country.

And who says they won’t be next?

We have become an authoritarian regime.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I guess I am the only person here who actually liked the later 70's disco era. It was fun music, despite not having enough maturation to survive.

I like some disco. "YMCA" is a fun song.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

And who controls Congress?

And who controls SCOTUS?

That’s not relevant to fascists.

And who says they won’t be next?

We have become an authoritarian regime.

Trump and agreed in call

And who controls Congress?

And who controls SCOTUS?

That’s not relevant to fascists.

And who says they won’t be next?

We have become an authoritarian regime

Agreed in all cases. It’s exactly what it is it’s an I agree with you statement until it’s fact checked to be crazier than we considered.

 

[Dondd]

These are very scary times. I can think of few areas that won't be touched by authoritarianism, which will limit Americans' ability to freely communicate, via media, social media or even in conversation.

 

[Bongwater]

These are very scary times. I can think of few areas that won't be touched by authoritarianism, which will limit Americans' ability to freely communicate, via media, social media or even in conversation.

But it's also times like these where the renegades shine. Civil disobedience can be extremely powerful. It took down a lot of authoritarians during the fall of communism.

The frightening thing we have right now is our Social Security/Medicare and IRS info is in the hands of tech bros who are still breaking out.(This is not the emerging talent "breaking out" I'm talking about. Get the Clearisil tube.)

And these DOGE nuts haven't gotten to the FCC just yet. Wait until they do. Then (in a just world) they'll have hell to pay. But the reason its so easy for these guys to just waltz in and do what they like is last year, the Supreme Court gave the president almost unilateral freedom from prosecution during their terms. These DOGE boys and maybe Elon himself as well as certainly the rest of us will be thrown under the bus. But the president won't.

We saw this before, didn't we?

 

[TheBigA]

And these DOGE nuts haven't gotten to the FCC just yet. Wait until they do. Then (in a just world) they'll have hell to pay.

Keep in mind that while the FCC receives a federal appropriation, it also makes money by selling spectrum space. In fact Carr has set a spectrum auction for the coming months.

 

[fybush]

Keep in mind that while the FCC receives a federal appropriation, it also makes money by selling spectrum space. In fact Carr has set a spectrum auction for the coming months.

He has? AFAIK, Congress has not yet restored the FCC's authority to conduct auctions.

 

[TheBigA]

He has? AFAIK, Congress has not yet restored the FCC's authority to conduct auctions.

I just reread the article, and he says he wants to sell space, but no date is set:

FCC’s Carr Calls for New Spectrum Auction for First Responders

New chair’s plans for first commission meeting will also address TV loudness

www.tvtechnology.com

It's one of the subjects for the open meeting next week.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

On his (HBO) Max show on May 18th, John Oliver did an in-depth segment about Trump and the press, including Carr's FCC, and his arm-twisting of KCBS over its reporting on ICE raids. Unfortunately, the people who most need to hear this information are unlikely to be watching Last Week Tonight, but it's good to see it get the coverage it deserves, regardless.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

Anyway, more on topic: This question may have been answered already, but does either KCBS itself or Audacy have anything to say about the ongoing "investigation"?

The question was answered in the linked video which is well worth watching in its entirety. If you'd just like to hear the answer, it starts at 24:38 where John Oliver states:

So, if it comes to a court case and KCBS chooses to fight, it will almost certainly win. But it's a little worrying that so far, they haven't openly defended their journalists who, again, did absolutely nothing wrong. And on one hand, I get it, fighting the FCC costs money and opens the station up to risk when their license comes up again, but staying silent has real costs too.

As that First Amendment expert says, even if charges are never filed, people have to look over their shoulders to wonder, "Is the government going to come after me because I report something that the government doesn't like me to say?" Sadly, that is a reasonable question to ask now...and this feels like where the biggest potential harm may be done, because the government -- directly or indirectly -- is controlling criticism. And that is -- to put it bluntly -- authoritarianism.

 

[lanceventa]

Too many posts in this thread are moving away from broadcasting and into straight politics. Please keep it related to broaccasting.

 

[ac175]

Sounds to me like it should be investigated. I don't think anyone would like this if a radio station was giving out the location of local law enforcement officers who were in the middle of a sting or bust