Rep Eshoo Wants FCC to Extend Political File Reporting to Cable/Satellite

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) has written Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski to argue for online reporting of television station political files, including individual terms and conditions, and for expanding that requirement to cable & satellite television operators.

Political files are the files, currently residing in paper form at local stations and MVPDs, that chronicle political ad time buys per requirements to provide equal access and lowest-unit-rate charges. Broadcasters have complained that real-time filing for that information will be a burden, especially on smaller stations, and require people hours and resources that will be taken away from local news and other important public service functions. In a letter dated April 16, Rep Eshoo wrote that she had "no doubt" the FCC could craft rules that would ease the process for smaller stations and minimize staff time that would have to be devoted to the task. She said not putting the information on the Internet was "inexcusable" given that the technology was available to bring disclosure "into the 21st Century." Rep Eshoo said creating an FCC-hosted website is an "encouraging start." She also said she supported "future action" to bring the public files of cable and satellite providers online." The FCC has not proposed extending the requirement of online filing to cable and satellite operators.