[grc] FCC denies request to revoke WBAI license

[Tom Voorhees]

How will the Trump FCC deal with such listener complaints ??
Tom.

http://www.radioworld.com/article/listener-rebuked-in-request-to-deny-a-station-its-license/300064
[1]

Listener Rebuked in Request to Deny a Station its License 
by Susan Ashworth 
on 12.15.2016       

In its last Open Meeting of the year, the Federal Communications Commission
tackled a number of radio-related issues, including denying a listener
request that a station have its licensed revoked due to objectionable
programming. 

Daniel Miller, a listener in New Jersey, wrote to the FCC several times
over the last two years to complain about the programming choices of
station WBAI(FM) in New York City. The station is part of a network of
radio stations operated by Pacifica Foundation. 

In his most recent Informal Objection in August, Miller pressed the Media
Bureau to deny renewing the station’s license. 

Miller said the noncommercial, listener-supported station is broadcasting
content that Miller finds objectionable. He refers to programming that he
said aired on WBAI about an escaped fugitive who was involved in the
shooting of a state trooper; the WBAI programming allegedly described the
fugitive as a “hero,” a sentiment that Miller said is not protected by
free speech. 

This isn’t the first time this kind of objection has been filed against
the station. Informal objections were filed by two other listeners in 2014
and 2015 over a variety of issues including theft, fraud, bribery, improper
business practices, public file violations and a lack of diverse
programming. 

The Media Bureau addressed those objections jointly, including Miller’s,
in August and said it was unable to substantiate any of the allegations.
The bureau also found that WBAI’s programming decisions are protected
under the First Amendment. 

Miller filed an Application for Review to contest the Media Bureau’s
finding; but on Dec. 14 the full commission moved to support the Media
Bureau’s original decision and denied Miller’s application. 

When it comes to programming, the commission said, a “licensee has broad
discretion — based on its right to free speech — to choose, in good
faith, the programming it believes serves the needs and interests of its
community of license. We will intervene in programming matters only if a
licensee abuses that discretion.” 

The commission also said that it would not take adverse action on a license
renewal application based upon the “subjective determination” of a
listener who claims the station has broadcast purportedly inappropriate
programming. 

Under the Communications Act, the commission can only deny a broadcast
station’s application for renewal if the station failed to serve the
public interest, committed a serious violation of the act or rules, or
committed a series of violations that constitute a pattern of abuse. None
of those were applicable in this case, the commission said. - See more at:
http://www.radioworld.com/article/listener-rebuked-in-request-to-deny-a-station-its-license/300064#sthash.b7plmXyc.dpuf



Links:
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[1] http://www.radioworld.com/article/listener-rebuked-in-request-to-deny-a-station-its-license/300064