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Monday, April 29, 2024

NYC Radio: WBAI To Pay $25K Fine To FCC


WBAI 99.5 FM, operated by the Pacifica Foundation in New York, has entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC due to violations related to underwriting language and non-disclosure of sponsored programming. Here are the key details:

Violation Details: Several programs aired on WBAI between June 2014 to April 2022 allegedly failed to provide proper sponsorship identification.

Violations occurred during broadcasts of shows such as:

  • “The Gary Null Show”.
  • “Christine Blosdale Special”.
  • “Off The Hook”.
  • Consent Decree Terms:

WBAI acknowledges its violations of the FCC’s Underwriting Laws and Sponsorship ID Rules.

The station has agreed to: Pay a $25,000 penalty and abide by a limited two-year license renewal to ensure future compliance. The fine will be paid in five monthly installments of $5,000.

If any payment is missed by even one day, the remainder of the penalty will accrue interest using the U.S. Prime Rate plus 4.75%. The station expects a 35-40% reduction in revenue due to discontinuing the problematic programs.

WBAI also faces other financial challenges, including over $200,000 in debt owed for its transmitter site lease and to a call center.

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