NAB Regulatory Compliance & Legal Framework 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FCC rules, a broadcast station's license term is how long for both radio and television?
- 5 years
- 7 years
- 8 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
Correct answer: 8 years
The FCC grants broadcast licenses for a term of 8 years for both radio and television stations.
Question 2: The FCC's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules require stations with 5 or more full-time employees to file what annually?
- Form 323
- Form 396 (Correct answer)
- Form 303-S
- Form 317
Correct answer: Form 396
Stations with 5+ full-time employees must file FCC Form 396 (Broadcast EEO Program Report) annually in their online public file.
Question 3: A broadcast station that operates beyond its licensed power by more than 10% is considered to be in violation of which type of rule?
- Indecency rule
- Technical operating rule (Correct answer)
- Sponsorship identification rule
- Political broadcasting rule
Correct answer: Technical operating rule
Operating beyond licensed power limits violates FCC technical operating rules found in Parts 73 and 74 of the FCC rules.
Question 4: Which FCC doctrine, repealed in 1987, required broadcasters to present controversial issues of public importance in a balanced manner?
- Equal Time Doctrine
- Fairness Doctrine (Correct answer)
- Public Interest Doctrine
- Localism Doctrine
Correct answer: Fairness Doctrine
The Fairness Doctrine, eliminated by the FCC in 1987, had required broadcasters to cover controversial public issues in a balanced way.
Question 5: When must a broadcast station disclose that airtime was purchased if a third party pays for programming to be aired?
- Only at the beginning of the program
- Only at the end of the program
- At both the beginning and end of the program
- At the time of broadcast using a sponsorship identification announcement (Correct answer)
Correct answer: At the time of broadcast using a sponsorship identification announcement
FCC sponsorship identification rules require disclosure at the time of broadcast whenever consideration is received for airing content.
Question 6: Under the Children's Television Act, commercial TV stations must air a minimum of how many hours of educational/informational (E/I) programming per week aimed at children?
- 1 hour
- 2 hours
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 4 hours
Correct answer: 3 hours
The FCC's Children's Television Act core programming rules require at least 3 hours per week of E/I programming for children 16 and under.
Question 7: What is the FCC's term for the process by which a station transfers control of its license to a new owner?
- License modification
- Assignment of license (Correct answer)
- License renewal
- Spectrum reallocation
Correct answer: Assignment of license
An 'assignment of license' is the FCC's formal term when a licensee transfers its authorization to operate a broadcast station to another party.
NAB Regulatory Compliance & Legal Framework 2
Under FCC rules, a broadcast station's license term is how long for both radio and television?