FCC Eases Reporting Burden for Noncommercial Broadcaster Volunteers

The Federal Communications Commission made optional a previously mandatory requirement that compelled the officers and board members of noncommercial educational (NCE) stations to report personal information. NCE broadcasters said that, if left unchanged, this requirement would deter volunteers from serving in these important leadership positions. April 20’s action will allow NCE stations to more readily utilize “special use” registration numbers, which do not require the submission of personal information to the Commission, on their ownership forms.

NCE stations will no longer be required to make “reasonable and good faith efforts” to obtain the information needed to use unique registration numbers for board members and officers—and individuals serving in these important leadership positions will no longer be required to provide such information under the threat of FCC enforcement action. However, the FCC will still require NCEs to submit information about the gender, race, and ethnicity of their governing officers and board members.