FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
As been discussed here and ad-naseum on other forums, the recent increase in commercials/promotions with fake EAS tones-alerts, has caused the commission to step up their enforcement of such activities. As many know, airing a simulated or "fake" EAS tone, or a 'sound alike' is a violation of rule 47 CFR 11.45.
Here is the press release (in PDF) from the FCC.
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Release ... 2123A1.pdf
Here is the press release (in PDF) from the FCC.
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Release ... 2123A1.pdf
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"Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig. After a couple of hours, you realize the pig likes it"
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Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
Turner Broadcasting (TBS, TNT, TCM, CNN, etc) got hit big with a "Conan" promo that had tones similar to the EAS alert.
Bob M.
Bob M.
Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
I'm surprised by the Conan promo fine. First - TBS is cable only and 2nd, they were fake tones. I think the FCC is overstretching their bounds on that one. What next, no fake EAS tones on the big screen?
- Deep Thought
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Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
EAS rules apply to cable, and those rules do not make an exception for "fake". The point is to not confuse the public.BingNYEng wrote:I'm surprised by the Conan promo fine. First - TBS is cable only and 2nd, they were fake tones. I think the FCC is overstretching their bounds on that one. What next, no fake EAS tones on the big screen?
If Conan is so creatively bankrupt as to resort to this sort of prank he deserves the fine.
Mark Mueller • Mueller Broadcast Design • La Grange, IL • http://www.muellerbroadcastdesign.com
Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
It is time to change the rules. This is nonsense. Better yet, isn't it time we got rid of the EAS system all together?Deep Thought wrote:EAS rules apply to cable, and those rules do not make an exception for "fake". The point is to not confuse the public.BingNYEng wrote:I'm surprised by the Conan promo fine. First - TBS is cable only and 2nd, they were fake tones. I think the FCC is overstretching their bounds on that one. What next, no fake EAS tones on the big screen?
If Conan is so creatively bankrupt as to resort to this sort of prank he deserves the fine.
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Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
What possible content does faking EAS signals add to a program that can't be conveyed a different and better way?
Here's a better idea: Just remove all the regulations and let everything be a free-for-all.

Here's a better idea: Just remove all the regulations and let everything be a free-for-all.

Mark Mueller • Mueller Broadcast Design • La Grange, IL • http://www.muellerbroadcastdesign.com
Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
I don't think getting rid of EAS would serve any purpose. When you get out into the mid-west and the south, EAS plays a critical role in severe weather warnings , where they actually get some nasty weather. EAS is a public service , one of the last, of alot of commercial (and a lot of non comm too) radio stations these days.
I don't think the rules need to be loosened either. The law states you can't go into a crowded room and yell "fire". What is the difference of that versus EAS tones?
It doesn't matter that it's cable or broadcast, don't forget the cable companies are required to follow the same part 11 rules. So while TBS may be ok to do it (which they weren't, mind you), the cable operators are definitely not able.
I think there are a lot of young producers used in the industry these days that just simply don't know the rules and I for one, am glad to see this effort by the FCC.
I don't think the rules need to be loosened either. The law states you can't go into a crowded room and yell "fire". What is the difference of that versus EAS tones?
It doesn't matter that it's cable or broadcast, don't forget the cable companies are required to follow the same part 11 rules. So while TBS may be ok to do it (which they weren't, mind you), the cable operators are definitely not able.
I think there are a lot of young producers used in the industry these days that just simply don't know the rules and I for one, am glad to see this effort by the FCC.
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"Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig. After a couple of hours, you realize the pig likes it"
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Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
Looks like they were serious and got out the big gun...
FCC Levels $1.9 Million EAS Fine Against NBCU, ESPN and Viacom
FCC Levels $1.9 Million EAS Fine Against NBCU, ESPN and Viacom
Mark Mueller • Mueller Broadcast Design • La Grange, IL • http://www.muellerbroadcastdesign.com
Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
It's a good start...
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Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
It's probably not much of a start - the estimates that I've seen put the fine at about 15 minutes billing per network.NECRAT wrote:It's a good start...
Dale H. Cook, Contract Engineer, Roanoke/Lynchburg, VA
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Re: FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS
They're limited in what they can do for each infraction, but now that there is blood in the water someone at the EB will figure out how to fine each cable system for each channel and count them as separate incidents like they did with Nipplegate.
Mark Mueller • Mueller Broadcast Design • La Grange, IL • http://www.muellerbroadcastdesign.com