FCC slaps TBS with $25k fine for Conan O'Brien ad that resembled emergency alert...
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Nov 6, 2013, 12:09:21 PM11/6/13
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By Brendan Sasso
The Federal Communications Commission has slapped a $25,000 fine on TBS
for airing a promotion for Conan O'Brien's late night talk show that
resembled an emergency alert.
FCC regulations prohibit TV stations from simulating the sounds of the
Emergency Alert System when there is no emergency or authorized test.
The system is used to warn the public about floods, tornadoes and other
emergencies.
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Robert Ratcliffe, the acting chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, said
the agency "will not tolerate" misuse of the system.
的t is inexcusable to trivialize the sounds specifically used to notify
viewers of the dangers of an incoming tornado or to alert them to be on
the lookout for a kidnapped child, merely to advertise a talk show or a
clothing store," he said in a statement late Tuesday.
"This activity not only undermines the very purpose of a unique set of
emergency alert signals, but is a clear violation of the law."
The TBS commercial used emergency alert tones to promote the appearance
of Jack Black on "Conan" on April 26, 2012, according to the FCC.
TBS can still challenge the fine, which has not been finalized.
The cable station did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday, but
in documents filed with the FCC, it said the promotion was produced in a
tight timeframe, and the production team did not submit it for review.
The company said that since May 2012, all similar promotions for
O'Brien's show have gone through a standards and practices review.
The FCC said there has been a spike in complaints about misuse of
emergency alert tones.
The agency also reached an agreement with a Kentucky Television station,
WNKY, for simulating the emergency alert sound in an ad for the "The Fan
Wear & More Store."
The local station agreed to pay $39,000 and implement a compliance plan
to prevent future violations.
--
Q: Why is ObamaCare like a turd?
A: You have to pass it to see what's in it.
The Federal Communications Commission has slapped a $25,000 fine on TBS
for airing a promotion for Conan O'Brien's late night talk show that
resembled an emergency alert.
FCC regulations prohibit TV stations from simulating the sounds of the
Emergency Alert System when there is no emergency or authorized test.
The system is used to warn the public about floods, tornadoes and other
emergencies.
ADVERTISEMENT
Robert Ratcliffe, the acting chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, said
the agency "will not tolerate" misuse of the system.
的t is inexcusable to trivialize the sounds specifically used to notify
viewers of the dangers of an incoming tornado or to alert them to be on
the lookout for a kidnapped child, merely to advertise a talk show or a
clothing store," he said in a statement late Tuesday.
"This activity not only undermines the very purpose of a unique set of
emergency alert signals, but is a clear violation of the law."
The TBS commercial used emergency alert tones to promote the appearance
of Jack Black on "Conan" on April 26, 2012, according to the FCC.
TBS can still challenge the fine, which has not been finalized.
The cable station did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday, but
in documents filed with the FCC, it said the promotion was produced in a
tight timeframe, and the production team did not submit it for review.
The company said that since May 2012, all similar promotions for
O'Brien's show have gone through a standards and practices review.
The FCC said there has been a spike in complaints about misuse of
emergency alert tones.
The agency also reached an agreement with a Kentucky Television station,
WNKY, for simulating the emergency alert sound in an ad for the "The Fan
Wear & More Store."
The local station agreed to pay $39,000 and implement a compliance plan
to prevent future violations.
--
Q: Why is ObamaCare like a turd?
A: You have to pass it to see what's in it.
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