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