FCC Looking For Answers

Following last month's fiasco where an unathorized EAN alert was transmitted during the syndicated Bobby Bones Morning Show, the FCC inviting comment to find some answers.

The FCC is also seeking comment on EAS security best practices implementation.

On Oct. 24, via audio on a YouTube video, the Bobby Bones Show transmitted an EAS warning with an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) that signals a message from the President. The message aired in several states.

Now, the FCC wants comment on the impact of unauthorized alerts on public safety, government and local agencies.

Among the questions the FCC wants some answers to in comments are:

• To what extent have EAS Participants been directly affected by unauthorized EAS alerts.
• Is there a difference in whether or how an unauthorized EAN or other EAS alert is received and transmitted among different types of EAS Participants (i.e.,broadcast versus cable versus other types of EAS Participants)?
• What effect, if any, do unauthorized alerts have on members of the public, including those with disabilities and those who do not speak English as a primary language?

 The Commission is also worried that some stations that may not have aired the message have it stored in their system and may trigger at a later date. 

"The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau advises EAS Participants to immediately check with their equipment manufacturers to determine if they have this alert in queue for a future date, and if so, what steps they should take to eliminate the false alert before it is transmitted."

Premiere Radio Networks, which distribtues The Bobby Bone Show, is co-operating into the investigation.  Also, iHeartMedia is requiring a refresher course on the EAS for operators at its 850 stations.