Eric Rhoads' Blog
Alabama Station Gets $19k NAL For EAS Violations
August 31, 2009: The FCC Enforcement Bureau has sent a substantial -- $19,000 -- notice of apparent liability to Opp Educational Broadcasting over EAS violations at WJIF/Opp, AL. The violations cover failing to maintain operable EAS equipment, failing to conduct EAS tests, and failing to respond adequately to Enforcement Bureau directives to provide information and documents.
Opp Ed has been given 10 days from the date of the NAL to respond to a March followup letter of inquiry from the Enforcement Bureau's Spectrum Enforcement Division, or it could be subject to further enforcement action, including a higher fine.
The matter dates back to August 2008, when the Spectrum Enforcement Division received a complaint that WJIF had never transmitted an EAS test. The division sent a letter of inquiry to Opp Ed with specific questions on its EAS practices. Opp Edd responded two weeks late and, says the NAL, failed to answer any of the questions in the letter except by saying WJIF had participated in EAS in the past, but its equipment was in need of repair, which would be done "as soon as possible." A followup letter went out in March 2009, to which Opp Ed had not responded by the date of the NAL.
In other news, the FCC has canceled a $7,000 forfeiture against Jack Ivy, licensee of WRMG-AM/Red Bay, AL, for a late license renewal and unauthorized operation, accepting Ivy's documentation that he is unable to pay, and has admonished him for the late renewal.
Additionally, the commission has issued a $1,500 forfeiture order to Cactus Communications for a late license renewal filing for KKAY-AM/White Castle, LA.
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