Fast-Approaching Deadline for the Online Public File Transition

On August 2, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) launched an online public file system for television broadcasters. As of August 2, 2012, any document otherwise required to be placed in a station's traditional paper public file must instead be posted to the online public file (e.g., 3rd Quarter Issues/Program List, Commercial Limits Certification).

By February 2, 2013, broadcasters must migrate all the documents currently required to be placed in the paper public file to the online system. The FCC is attempting to help broadcasters with this transition by importing to the online system those public file documents already filed with the FCC (e.g., License Authorization, Children's Programming Reports, EEO Mid-Term reports, Applications, etc.). This means that broadcasters are responsible only for uploading those files not already submitted to the Commission (e.g., Issues/Program Lists, EEO public file reports and Children's Programming Commercial Limits Certifications, among others).

As each station prepares to transition its paper public file to the online version, we encourage you to take this opportunity to conduct a complete inventory of your station's public file to ensure it is complete and current. Our online public file primer is available here to help you with this task.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the transition of your station's public file to the online system.