During the period before the next three-year renewal, the FCC will continue its work to modernize and streamline the inspection file requirement.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2014
36 Months From Approved
10/31/2011
59,833
0
52,285
2,176,815
0
1,831,706
0
0
0
The Commission first adopted a public inspection file requirement more than 40 years ago. The public file requirement grew out of Congress' 1960 amendment of Sections 309 and 311 of the Communications Act of 1934. Finding that Congress, in enacting these provisions, was guarding "the right of the general public to be informed, not merely the rights of those who have special interests," the Commission adopted the public inspection file requirement to "make information to which the public already has a right more readily available, so that the public will be encouraged to play a more active part in dialogue with broadcast licensees." In return for their exclusive use of public spectrum, broadcasters must operate and program their stations in the "public interest, convenience and necessity." This means that all stations must be responsive and accountable to their local community of license. The manner in which broadcasters communicate with their communities is a core function of their role as licensees. Specific items in the public file include items that provide station information to the public, like ownership reports, contour maps, citizens agreements, EEO reports and quarterly lists of programs that the stations believe addressed important issues in their community. Access to the public inspection file allows the public to monitor a station's public interest performance. The information provided in a station's public file enables citizens to engage in an informed dialog with their local stations or to file complaints or petitions to deny the renewal of a station's license. Comments, complaints, and petitions to deny filed by the viewing public have long been a part of the regulatory and the renewal process. As part of the Commission's license renewal process, the Commission does not routinely monitor every aspect of stations' compliance with Commission rules; rather, it depends on viewers and listeners to provide information about whether stations are meeting their public interest obligations.
The Commission has made adjustments to this information collection. First, we have updated the broadcast station and cable system totals to reflect the Commission's most recent accounting. Second, we have added Class A stations to these totals, as we have determined that they should be included because Class A stations must maintain a public file under our rules. Third, we have revised the collection estimates for the political file. We have increased the number of burden hours for commercial station and cable system respondents regarding the political file to reflect the increased use by candidates of commercial broadcast stations and cable systems. We have reduced the burden hours for noncommercial stations to reflect the minimal candidate activity at those stations. Upon review of the presentation of these figures in our 2008 filing, we determined that a different presentation format would be more accurate. Therefore, this collection reflects the following adjustments: the number of respondents has decreased by 26,863 (from 52,285 to 25,422), the number of annual responses has increased by 7,548 (from 52,285 to 59,833). The number of annual responses has increased due to changes in station totals and the addition of Class A stations. In addition, the burden hours have increased by 345,109 hours (from 1,831,706 to 2,176,815). The burden hours have increased to reflect changes in station totals, the addition of Class A stations, and changes in the political file collections.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Supporting Statement OMB 3060-0214 (FINAL 2011).doc
Sections 73.3526 and 73.3527, Local Public Inspection File, Sections 76.1701 and 73.1943, Political Files