Public Affairs

Not sure if this would be the right board for this, but I'm trying to find the FCC guidelines for public affairs programming for a client station. I was positive I'd find something clear and concise on the FCC database, but unless I've gone blind, I'm not finding anything.

Any help in helping me steer them in the right direction, is appreciated. Thanks in advance...

Acting as moderator on the Engineering board I felt this
post would attract better replies on this board. Paragraph
below was my own reply when it was on Engineering:

Good luck...I've found The FCC to be purposely vague on
pubic affairs stuff, apparently in fear of being accused
of meddling with content. I do know they want you to keep
detailed records of what you do in this area; issues
identified, what programming was broadcast to address
those issues, the lengths, etc. One of those things where
effectiveness is unimportant, making the appropriate noises
IS. OK, so I'm a cynic. <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Les on 06/02/05 10:58 PM.</FONT></P>

Each quarter the station is to place in the public file a list of issues of public importance discussed on the station, inlcuding the times, date and length of the program. Some of the religiouns talk programs such as Focus on the Family, or Issues and Answers have nice summaries sent with each program which you can just stick in the file with each quarterly report.

These issues lists are to be kept for the the length of the license term.

Don't discount what the station is doing.

We did a 2 hr. remote covering the "onion festival" in our c.o.l., where the proceeds benefited some local kids with medical problems. Sort of a big community potluck (the people at the bank made an onion loaf, Domino's had vidalia onion pizza), we did three 2 minute drop-ins each hour discussing what the fund raising was for, community efforts, etc.

We are doing a series of remotes the next few weeks covering the American Cancer Society walk for life fundraisers in several counties in our coverage area.

A short write-up detailing what the broadcast covered, length, and issues covered (e.g. cancer awareness and the services available to the public provided by the Cancer society) fills up the file quite nicely.

When you are inspected, the "compliance specialist" will be looking for this issues file, and at least something in the file folder. Then they will go looking at EAS tests....