• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Viewpoints Radio

Viewpoints Radio

Award-winning reporting on current issues featuring America's leading experts.

  • Home
  • Archive
    • Full Segment Archive
    • Advanced Search
    • Filters
    • Recent Segments
    • Segment Finder (Sort & Filter)
    • Segment Type
      • Culture Crash
      • Feature Stories
      • Inside Looks
    • Terms
      • Books & Publications
      • Genres
      • Guests
      • Institutions & Organizations
      • Movies, TV & Digital Media
      • Notable Figures
      • Program Numbers
      • Topics
  • How to Listen
    • Podcast & Digital Outlets
    • Terrestrial Broadcast
    • Ways to Listen Overview
  • About
    • About Viewpoints Radio
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Our Team
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Login
    • Become an Affiliate
    • Benefits of Being an Affiliate
    • More About Syndicated Radio Programming
    • Public Affairs & FCC Requirements FAQ
    • Sample Programs

Public Affairs and FCC Requirements FAQ

What is public affairs programming?

Public affairs programming is any program that addresses issues of public interest. Subjects can include health and wellness, political discussion, employment and a variety of social issues such as education and poverty. These may be presented in the form of news, interviews and pre-recorded talk programming and public service announcements.

Do stations need it?

Yes, radio stations are required to carry programming in the public interest. They can do this in a variety of ways including long-form public affairs programming, interviews, news programming, or public service announcements (PSAs).

Why do they need it?

Radio stations are granted a license to operate from the Federal Communications Communication (FCC). The license requires broadcast entities to operate in the public interest. Because it is a government license, stations must not only broadcast public affairs programming but document the broadcasts online as part of its Public Inspection File (PIF).

How much of it do they need to air?

There are no specific requirements for stations to carry a certain amount of programming. Yet, stations are required to carry programming that demonstrates they are operating in the public interest. This has programmers in search of quality produced programming that fulfills this requirement and provides the proper documentation, allowing them to save time and money plus serve the community.

What are compliance issues?

Compliance issues are the topics covered that the FCC recognizes as in the public interest. There is no specific list of compliance issues. As long as the issues are relevant and further the interest of the community, they can be considered compliance issues. Issues may include but are not limited to education, poverty, government, crime, and politics. If a station does not properly document the broadcast of such programming and issues each quarter, it is not in compliance with FCC regulation and is subject to penalty.

Does public affairs have to be local?

No. While the FCC states public affairs programming should be “responsive to the needs and problems of its local community of license,” it is not a requirement that the programming be locally produced or address only issues specifically related to the local community. In fact, many local radio stations don’t have the resources to constantly produce their own public affairs programming, document it properly, and upload it into their PIF. They turn to syndicated or nationally produced programming and PSAs, often provided free of charge, to help them comply and broadcast in the public interest.

What is the Public Inspection File?

Since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cannot possibly monitor the programming of every broadcast station, it relies on stations to maintain a Public Inspection File. This file contains various materials to verify the station is operating in the public interest, including program logs of topics and issues covered by each station’s public affairs programming.

Where is it located and who can access it?

Public Inspection files are kept online with the FCC and are available for public view at any time, 24 hours a day. Stations must post a link to this file on their website so it’s available to all. The only part of the PIF that is not required to be uploaded is the Political File, which can stored either physically or online.

What must be in it?

There is an extensive list of items that must be included in a radio station’s electronic PIF. Stations may also keep a physical file at a location accessible to the public containing additional information. Together, these files include (but are not limited to):
—
FCC related materials including authorizations, applications, contour maps, and FCC related investigations and complaints.
— Ownership related materials.
— Files relating to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) efforts.
— The Public and Broadcasting manual.
— Political File.
— Community Issues/Programs list.
— Local public notice certifications and announcements regarding license renewals.
— Time brokerage agreements.
— Joint sales agreements.
— Shared services agreements.

How often must stations place their logs and information in this file?

Public inspection files are to be updated quarterly. Public affairs programming logs, including compliance issues covered, for the past quarter should be uploaded at the end of March, June, September and December.

What are the potential consequences of not airing public affairs programming?

Depending on the significance and extent of failure to comply with FCC regulations, stations may suffer consequences ranging from warnings and fines (sometimes significant amounts) to loss of their broadcast license.

Stay up-to-date on the latest in current events, public affairs, literature, culture, entertainment & more.

Enter your email address to get notifications & instant access to new Viewpoints Radio segments as they are released.

Start airing Viewpoints Radio on your platform to satisfy FCC OPIF requirements, including quarterly issues/programming reports.

Become an Affiliate

Connect

Interact with us by sharing comments, favorite segments, questions or even suggest a topic.

  • Facebook link
  • Twitter
  • Instagram link
  • Pinterest link
  • spotify link
  • YouTube link
  • RSS Feed
  • contact by email

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) logo

Listen

  • Archive
  • Broadcast
  • Guests
  • Podcast & Digital Outlets
  • Recently Aired
  • Terms
  • Topics
  • Ways to Listen

Learn

  • About Us
  • Affiliates
  • Contact Info
  • FAQ
  • Our Team
  • Public Affairs & FCC Requirements
  • AURN.com
  • Sitemap

© Copyright 2022 – American Urban Radio Networks

↑ Return to top