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INVESTIGATE YOUR MEDIA Instructions for Inspecting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Reports on Public File at your Local Television Station: You do not need an appointment to visit your local TV station to inspect the public files. Go to the station during normal business hours between 9 am to 5 pm. (Note: Your inspection process could take you a half-hour or more so go before 5 pm to ensure you can complete your investigation.) You do not have to explain why you are there or whom you represent. Of course, you should act professionally. Bring a copy of the FCC Public Notice outlining your right to inspect the FCC Public file. We advise that you go with at least one other person. Have one person do the talking while the other notes the details of your visit. In this way you can verify what took place with a witness. Note how the station’s personnel treated you and what level of difficulty was involved in inspecting the FCC public file. Ask to see the FCC quarterly reports in the public files. You may need to ask for the Public Affairs Director who will know what files the station is required to give you access to. Each station is required to file quarterly reports to the FCC in Washington DC on programming they broadcast, their response to community inquires, and their activities. As you inspect the files please note if the files are current, legible, and in proper order. The FCC gives broadcasters guidelines describing what they must report. Here is a list of what to look for while inspecting the FCC quarterly report in the station’s public file: Review the weekly time amounts for children’s programming. Look at the list of shows and times and evaluate whether they are cartoons or legitimate educational programs. Do the advertisements in children’s programming violate the hourly rules? Review the list of issues the broadcasters think reflect the public interest. How many broadcasts dealt with youth, diverse communities, women, seniors etc. Were these broadasts news/crime reports or educational information or an event announcement? How many community-based Public Service Announcements (PSA) did they run that quarter. What times did those PSA’s run? • If the quarterly report is during an election period, look for the list of political advertisements. Which candidates got the most time and how much did the ads cost? Review their record of complaints and praise—both letter and email. What broadcasts got the most attention from the public either positive or negative. Did the station respond to the complaints? The stations may also list ways in which they have been of service to their community; for example, by televising or co-sponsoring charitable events. Note who they sent to the event and what areas the station is (and is not) supporting in the community. We request that you send Our Media Voice a copy of your notes from inspecting the FCC quarterly report from your local television station’s public file. Our Media Voice P. O. Box 1333 Tiburon, CA 94920 Or fax it to: 415 435-9598 Or email it to: info@ourmediavoice.com If you find that the TV station did not properly accommodate your visit, or does not keep orderly records in the public file, or that they are not in compliance with broadcast requirements, we advise you to send a letter to the FCC (please send a copy of your letter to Our Media Voice): Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Division, Mass Media Bureau 445 12th St., SW Washington, D.C. 20554