|
Background
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
receives numerous consumer complaints about broadcast journalism
(television and radio journalism). Consumers complain that
networks, stations, news reporters, and/or commentators give
inaccurate or one-sided news reports or comments, fail to cover
certain events, or cover events inadequately. Some consumers
complain that the news has been staged or that news reports
overemphasize or dramatize certain aspects of events. Other
consumers object that broadcasters have announced an illness,
accident, or a death of an individual before his or her family
has been notified, or have in some way acted inappropriately
toward the family. Consumers also complain to the FCC about the
conduct (tone of voice, facial expressions, etc.) of some
journalists while reporting or commenting on the news.
|
What Can the FCC Do?
The FCC is caught in a tug-of-war
between two consumer factions: on one side, consumers
have urged the FCC to set guidelines to prevent bias or
distortion by networks and station licensees or to
supervise the gathering, editing, and airing of news and
comments; on the other side, consumers fear possible
government intimidation or censorship of broadcast news
operations.
The Communications Act prohibits
the FCC from censoring broadcast material. Additionally,
the Communications Act and the First Amendment to the
Constitution prohibit any action by the FCC that would
interfere with free speech in broadcasting. For example,
the FCC cannot interfere with a broadcaster’s selection
and presentation of material for the news and/or its
commentary. The FCC does, however, regulate content in
some narrow areas. For example, federal law prohibits or
limits the broadcast of obscene, indecent, or profane
language. But the FCC must be guided by decisions of the
courts in determining whether specific material may be
prohibited under this law. Similarly, the FCC may
penalize licensees for knowingly broadcasting false
information.
|
What Are the Broadcasters' Responsibilities?
As public trustees, broadcasters
may not intentionally distort the news. Broadcasters are
responsible for deciding what their stations present to the
public. The FCC has stated publicly that “rigging or slanting
the news is a most heinous act against the public interest.” The
FCC does act to protect the public interest where it has
received documented evidence of such rigging or slanting. This
kind of evidence could include testimony, in writing or
otherwise, from “insiders” or persons who have direct personal
knowledge of an intentional falsification of the news. Of
particular concern would be evidence about orders from station
management to falsify the news. In the absence of such
documented evidence, the FCC has stressed that it cannot
intervene.
What If I Have Comments or Concerns about a Specific News Broadcast or
Commentary?
All concerns or comments about a
specific news broadcast or commentary should be directed to the
local station and network involved, so that the people
responsible for making the programming decisions can become
better informed about audience opinion.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
Complaints regarding news distortion,
rigging, or slanting can also be filed with the FCC. There is no
charge for filing a complaint. Complaints must contain
documented evidence in support of the allegations. For example,
it is not sufficient for a complaint to allege only that a
broadcast station made a mistake in reporting a news event. The
complaint must include documented evidence showing deliberate
misrepresentation.
You can file your complaint using the
on-line complaint Form 2000E found on the FCC Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html.
You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center
by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov;
calling -888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications
Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
What to Include in Your Complaint
The best way to provide all the information
the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the
on-line complaint Form 2000E. If you do not use the on-line
complaint Form 2000E, your complaint, at a minimum, should
indicate:
-
your name, address, email address, and
phone number where you can be reached;
-
name and phone number of the company
that you are complaining about and location (city and state)
if the company is a cable or satellite operator;
-
station call sign (KDIU-FM or WZUE TV),
radio station frequency (1020 or 88.5) or TV channel (13),
and station location (city and state);
-
network, program name, and date and
time of program if you are complaining about a particular
program;
-
any additional details of your
complaint, including time, date, and nature of the conduct
or activity you are complaining about and identifying
information for any companies, organizations, or individuals
involved; and
-
documented evidence showing deliberate
misrepresentation.
|
For More Information
For information about
other telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the
FCC’s Consumer Center using the information provided for
filing a complaint.
|
|
Federal Communications Commission
