Noncoms Seek Carve-Out From Station Reporting Proposals

Public broadcasters have asked the Federal Communications Commission to exempt them from any new "burdensome" reporting requirements, arguing that their delivery of programming of interest to their communities is self-evident.

In comments on the FCC's proposal to require online reporting of station information, including potentially additional information about what types of programming they are airing, CPB, PBS and the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) said that any new programming disclosure rules should include a safe-harbor for CPB-qualified TV station licensees who submit relevant portions of the studies and surveys they already have to conduct and submit to CPB. "We support the Commission's effort to standardize information about their public interest programming and activities," said Lonna Thompson, executive VP and general counsel of APTS, in a statement. "However, we strongly encourage the Commission to exempt public television licensees from burdensome reporting requirements given public television licensees' demonstrated success in delivering upon their mission to provide programming that addresses the needs and interests of their local communities."