[BC] The things licensees get away with...

[Tom Taggart]

The only entity "getting away with" something in the case of
the public file and, now, the new "No Urban/No Hispanic"
discrimination disclaimer .... is the FCC.

With the public file we have a collection of documents that
are already on the web, (license, contour maps, etc.) and
reports that no-one either cares about or reads (quarterly
issues lists). Yet the fine for missing a few meaningless
pieces of paper is usually Draconian--$10K.

Now appearing on renewal forms across the nation is the
"certification" required that "all contracts for the sale of
advertising time carry non discrimination language." A rule
that is impossible to comply with, unless, of course, the
station is non-commercial, or just goes out of business. 
While this requirement is too new to generate fines (first
renewal apps this cycle were June of last year), it has
potential to keep the enforcement folks busy for years. 
Candor in this instance is potentially suicidal.

Ancient anecdotes aside, the FCC's enforcement bureau is
nothing more than bagmen for the welfare state.