FCC Delays Enforcement Date of Foreign Sponsorship ID Rules

Last year, the FCC released a decision that would require stations to provide a sponsorship identification for leased programs that are sponsored by foreign governments or their agents. Under the order, the decision was to become effective on June 10th. However, the Media Bureau has announced that it would delay enforcement until December 8th to give stations time to comply with the new rules. The FCC developed standardized language that can be used by broadcasters to determine if an entity leasing time is considered to be a foreign government agent. This language, which appears on the new form created by the FCC for stations, will be required after December 8, 2025.

You can see the Media Bureau’s Notice delaying enforcement here.

You can see the FCC’s initial decision here.

You can see a discussion of this issue by noted communications attorney David Oxenford here.