Broadcast Groups Want Changes to Foreign-Sponsored Content Draft
Several broadcaster groups want changes to the draft order on requiring disclosures from broadcasters for content sponsored by foreign governments, said ex parte filings last week in docket 20-299, at the close of the filing window before the agency’s Thursday…
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meeting (see 2104010056). The draft’s proposal to require broadcasters to use “reasonable diligence” to identify content sponsored by foreign governments “appears to sweep in thousands of leasing agreements, forcing broadcasters who never have and never will contract to air foreign government-sponsored content to expend a great deal of time, energy and expense,” NAB told the Media Bureau and an aide to acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The broadcast trade group said the issue could be addressed with “minor” changes, such as a threshold for when the reasonable diligence standard could be applied. As written, the draft would require broadcasters involved in any leasing arrangement to do “extensive and costly due diligence” when such deals are executed and every six months afterward, said the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters. NPR said it approves of the draft item but seeks a language change to acknowledge rules against noncommercial educational stations receiving compensation. The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council also asked for changes (see 2104150063).