The FCC licenses and regulates TV stations.
In the United States, the Federal Communication Commission regulates TV broadcasting through licensing and rules that ensure the local stations are serving the needs and interests of their local communities. While TV stations must follow certain rules regarding advertisements, children's programming, news programming, and reporting, the FCC abstains from involvement in stations' programming and business decisions. Viewers are expected to communicate many of their concerns--especially for offensive content--directly with their local stations.
Licensing
The FCC issues permits for the construction of new TV stations. After construction, stations apply for a license from the FCC. Once granted, stations operate for a set time before applying for renewal. During all of these periods, stations must comply with FCC reporting, procedures and regulations.
The FCC licenses TV stations as either commercial or noncommercial educational, or NCE. NCE stations may take contributions and receive government funds, but may not sell advertising. Commercial stations may sell advertisements.
Advertising
Advertisements and sponsors must be fully disclosed to TV viewers. Noncommercial educational stations may acknowledge sponsors, but not during programming and they may not promote the products and services of their underwriters.
The amount of advertising a TV station may broadcast during children's programming is also limited.
Other advertising issues may not be the FCC's responsibility. False advertising is handled by the Federal Trade Commission. Advertising rates and offensive advertisements are the responsibilities of the individual TV stations.
Children's Programming
Every FCC licensed TV station is required to provide educational and informational programming, designated with the "E/I" symbol, for children. This may be overall programming that meets the needs of children age 16 and younger or programming designed specifically to educate and inform children.
During children's programming, advertising must be limited to no more than 12 minutes per hour on weekdays and 10.5 minutes per hour on weekends.
News Broadcasts
Other than to protect the public from harmful information and permit equal access to political candidates, the FCC is not involved in stations' news broadcast decisions.
The FCC may intervene in cases of news distortion or hoaxes. News distortion is an intentional falsification of the news. A hoax is also intentional, but can cause foreseeable public harm by broadcasting false information on a crime or catastrophe.
The rules for political broadcasting obligate stations to allow candidates for federal public office "reasonable access" to station air time. In addition, if a station allows any local, state, or federal candidate access to broadcasting time, it must allow all candidates for the same office "equal opportunity."
Offensive Content/Programming
Programming that is considered obscene, by law, is prohibited. Profane and indecent programming may only be broadcast between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Also, all TVs made after 2000 have a V-Chip and many programs contain ratings to help parents block programming that may be inappropriate.
However, programming that may be offensive politically, or based on gender, race, religion or national origin, is not regulated by the FCC. Instead, it recommends individuals contact the local station with complaints. The FCC also does not regulate violent programming and programming that incites criminal behavior is the responsibility of law enforcement.
Other Regulations
The FCC requires that most shows be closed captioned. Emergency information must be made accessible to those with vision or hearing problems.
TV stations must identify themselves with their call letters and location every hour at the top of the hour and when they sign on and off for the day.
All parties involved in a telephone conversation must be informed if the call will be broadcast.
The FCC requires full disclosure of rules and prizes in station-sponsored contests.
Advertisements for legal gambling are permitted to be broadcast.
Solicitation of funds is also permitted.
Public Inspection File
Each station is required to maintain a public inspection file to assist the public in monitoring the station's role in community broadcasting. The files must be placed on a database accessible to the public during regular business hours with copies provided at a reasonable charge. The file must contain: The station's FCC license; applications; citizen agreements--agreements the station has made with local viewers; broadcast area maps and transmitter locations; a political file; children's programming reports; quarterly programming reports; comments and complaints; letters and email along with all other documents that are relevant to the station's programming and FCC regulations.
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