FCC: Media Bureau's Response to CLC et al. Complaints Against TV Stations Regarding Sponsorship Identification

On September 2, 2014, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responded to complaints filed by the Campaign Legal Center, the Sunlight Foundation and Common Cause against WJLA-TV in the Washington, DC area and KGW of Portland, OR alleging violations of the sponsorship identification requirements included in Section 317 of the Communications Act.  The Media Bureau dismissed the complaints, stating the agency chose to "exercise our discretion not to pursue enforcement in this instance, given the need to balance the 'reasonable diligence' obligations of broadcasters in identifying the sponsor of an advertisement with the sensitive First Amendment interests present here."

To see the complaint, click here.