FCC Proposes Eliminating Paper Copies Of Rules

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate rules requiring certain broadcast and cable entities to keep paper copies of FCC rules.

More than forty years ago, the Commission adopted rules requiring low power TV, TV and FM translator, TV and FM booster stations, cable television relay station (CARS) licensees, and certain cable operators to maintain paper copies of Commission rules. These rules were intended to ensure that such entities could access and stay familiar with the rules governing their operations.

Because the rules are now readily accessible online, many parties believe that the paper copy requirements are outdated and unnecessarily burdensome. While regulated entities still would be required to be familiar with the rules governing their services, elimination of the paper copy requirements would give them flexibility to determine how to fulfill that obligation.

This rulemaking is part of the Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative that the FCC launched earlier this year to reduce unnecessary regulation that can stand in the way of competition and innovation in media markets.