Spring Break
Drexel's radio station hit with $10,000 FCC fine
Chris Sannino
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: News
WKDU, Drexel's student-run FM radio station, recently ran into trouble with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after a failure to disclose certain public inspection files.
The omission of these files was discovered during the station's last license renewal and resulted in a $10,000 fine.
According to the FCC's renewal policy, broadcast radio licenses are valid for a period of eight years. The FCC web site wrote that all broadcast licenses would expire between 2003 and 2006, after which protocol must be followed to renew. While filling out the renewal forms, a "no" was checked off answering the question of whether or not WKDU had logged all appropriate public inspection files. These files are meant to provide the FCC with quarterly programming planning.
WKDU admitted on the application that there were indeed eight quarters of programming
information missing between the years 1998 and 2006, according to a Drexel press release. The station ensured that they now have systems installed to correctly log programming and reportedly won their license renewal, but to a tune of $10,000.
"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 to WKDU. "Moreover, the violations were extensive, occurring over a two-year period and involving at least eight issues/programs lists."
Two other similar offenses were filed by the stations belonging to Rockland Public School in Massachusetts and Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. The FCC's response was the same to these cases as it was to WKDU. However, stations are permitted to appeal fines within 30 days of being issued, and, given the circumstances, this may be the course of action for WKDU.
"The deficiencies the FCC found in the student-run radio station's paperwork were historical, with the most recent omission occurring more than seven years ago," Niki Gianakaris, a University spokeswoman, said.
In addition, the fine imposed amounts to more than the station's yearly operating budget.
Therefore, WKDU plans to contact the FCC in hopes that they will reconsider.
"We can't say much at this point because the case is in litigation," Gianakaris said.
The omission of these files was discovered during the station's last license renewal and resulted in a $10,000 fine.
According to the FCC's renewal policy, broadcast radio licenses are valid for a period of eight years. The FCC web site wrote that all broadcast licenses would expire between 2003 and 2006, after which protocol must be followed to renew. While filling out the renewal forms, a "no" was checked off answering the question of whether or not WKDU had logged all appropriate public inspection files. These files are meant to provide the FCC with quarterly programming planning.
WKDU admitted on the application that there were indeed eight quarters of programming
information missing between the years 1998 and 2006, according to a Drexel press release. The station ensured that they now have systems installed to correctly log programming and reportedly won their license renewal, but to a tune of $10,000.
"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 to WKDU. "Moreover, the violations were extensive, occurring over a two-year period and involving at least eight issues/programs lists."
Two other similar offenses were filed by the stations belonging to Rockland Public School in Massachusetts and Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. The FCC's response was the same to these cases as it was to WKDU. However, stations are permitted to appeal fines within 30 days of being issued, and, given the circumstances, this may be the course of action for WKDU.
"The deficiencies the FCC found in the student-run radio station's paperwork were historical, with the most recent omission occurring more than seven years ago," Niki Gianakaris, a University spokeswoman, said.
In addition, the fine imposed amounts to more than the station's yearly operating budget.
Therefore, WKDU plans to contact the FCC in hopes that they will reconsider.
"We can't say much at this point because the case is in litigation," Gianakaris said.
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