The commission has handed down three separate $10,000 fines in similar but unrelated cases involving school stations that failed to keep proper public inspection files. The FCC found out about these omissions when the stations identified them in license renewal paperwork.
Typical of the cases is Drexel University’s WKDU(FM). The Pennsylvania station noted the problem when it filed its license renewal form, checking “no” to the question of whether required documentation had been placed in the inspection file at the appropriate times.
WKDU told the commission in its application that there were eight quarters of data missing for the period of 1998 to 2006. It said it now has put systems in place to maintain accurate records.
The Audio Division of the Media Bureau ruled that subsequent remedial actions undertaken by a licensee do not excuse or nullify a files violation. “Although the licensee admitted to the violations, it did so only in the context of the question contained in its license renewal application that compelled such disclosure,” the FCC wrote. “Moreover, the violations were extensive, occurring over a two-year period and involving at least eight issues/programs lists.”
The FCC ruled similarly in the case of Rockland Public Schools station WRPS(FM) in Massachusetts and Colby-Sawyer College station WSCS(FM) in New London, N.H.
The stations can files appeals within 30 days. All three also won license renewal.
