Political advertising

Targeting Candidate Appearances Outside Newscasts, FCC Eliminates Political Equal Opportunities Safe Harbors

By Scott R. Flick|2026-01-21T19:42:20-06:00January 21st, 2026|Legal News|

In a not all that surprising development for those who monitor Chairman Carr’s pronouncements, the FCC’s Media Bureau today released a “Guidance on Political Equal Opportunities Requirement for Broadcast Television Stations” narrowing the programs found exempt from the Equal Opportunities requirement. The clear target is appearances by candidates on the TV broadcast networks’ morning and […]

FCC Enforcement Monitor—The Government Shutdown Edition

By Scott R. Flick and Elizabeth Craig|2025-10-30T12:21:48-05:00October 30th, 2025|Legal News|

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published the FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue is a special edition: FCC Enforcement Monitor—The Government Shutdown Edition While shutdowns of the federal government have become depressingly common, the FCC has generally been […]

New Foreign Sponsorship Disclosure Recordkeeping Requirements Become Effective, But FCC Provides Last-Minute Reprieve

By Scott R. Flick and Jessica T. Nyman|2025-06-10T19:30:10-05:00June 10th, 2025|Legal News|

With publication of OMB approval in the Federal Register, today was the effective date for amendments to Section 73.1212(j) of the FCC’s Rules, which governs sponsorship identification for broadcast programming that “has been provided by a foreign governmental entity.” Under those amendments, broadcast licensees would need to use one of two recordkeeping methods to demonstrate […]

FCC Attempts to Regulate AI in Political Advertising Through New Disclosure Requirements

By Scott R. Flick, Jessica T. Nyman and Adam J. Sandler|2024-07-29T17:03:58-05:00July 29th, 2024|Legal News|

The FCC last week released a highly anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on proposed disclosure requirements for political ads containing AI-generated content. The item was adopted earlier this month by a 3-2 party-line vote, nearly two months after FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel first announced its circulation among the commissioners for consideration. As discussed […]

FCC Enforcement Monitor January 2024

By Scott R. Flick, Elizabeth Craig and Adam J. Sandler|2024-01-25T14:40:27-06:00January 25th, 2024|Legal News|

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: TV Broadcaster Faces $150,000 Fine for Failure to Negotiate Retransmission Consent in Good Faith Sponsorship ID and Political File Violations Lead to $500,000 Consent Decree […]

Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content in Political Ads Raises New Concerns for Broadcasters

By Lee G. Petro and Adam J. Sandler|2024-01-08T07:31:37-06:00January 8th, 2024|Legal News|

With the Iowa Republican Caucus happening in mid-January and dozens of additional primaries and caucuses to follow before the 2024 general election, broadcasters need to be aware of the use of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes and synthetic media in political advertising and the various laws at play when such content is used. These laws seek […]

The 2024 Broadcasters’ Calendar – Regulatory Dates for the Coming Year, with Special Attention to Lowest Unit Charge Political Windows

By David Oxenford|2023-12-21T07:57:22-06:00December 21st, 2023|Legal News|

2024 is almost upon us. At this time of year, everyone seems to be making a list of the best (or worst) events of 2023, or predictions for what the new year will bring. After the first of the year, we will dust off our crystal ball and look at some of the legal and... Continue Reading…

FCC REVISES POLITICAL PROGRAMMING AND ADVERTISING RULES

By Paul J. Feldman|2022-01-26T13:31:58-06:00January 26th, 2022|Legal News|

Today, the FCC released a Report and Order (Order), updating the political programming and recordkeeping rules for broadcast licensees, cable television system operators, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service providers, and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) licensees. The Order revises the definition of “legally qualified candidate for public office” to add the use of social...… Continue Reading

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ August 2020

By Scott R. Flick, Warren A. Kessler and Simone A. Wood|2020-08-31T10:27:06-05:00August 31st, 2020|Legal News|

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: More Stations Settle with FCC Over Political File Violations FCC Fines Drone Retailer Nearly $3 Million for Marketing Unauthorized Devices California FM Translator Fined for […]