FCC to step up enforcement of fake EAS

[NECRAT]

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

[kcbooboo]

Turner Broadcasting (TBS, TNT, TCM, CNN, etc) got hit big with a "Conan" promo that had tones similar to the EAS alert.

Bob M.

[BingNYEng]

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]

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?

EAS rules apply to cable, and those rules do not make an exception for "fake". The point is to not confuse the public.

If Conan is so creatively bankrupt as to resort to this sort of prank he deserves the fine.

[BingNYEng]

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?

EAS rules apply to cable, and those rules do not make an exception for "fake". The point is to not confuse the public.

If Conan is so creatively bankrupt as to resort to this sort of prank he deserves the fine.

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]

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.

[NECRAT]

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.

[Deep Thought]

Looks like they were serious and got out the big gun...

FCC Levels $1.9 Million EAS Fine Against NBCU, ESPN and Viacom

[NECRAT]

It's a good start...

[Dale H. Cook]

It's a good start...

It's probably not much of a start - the estimates that I've seen put the fine at about 15 minutes billing per network.

[Deep Thought]

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.