FCC Issues Guidelines for Complying with “Foreign Adversary” Act

Earlier this year, the Commission issued a decision requiring broadcast licensees to file document with the FCC if they were owned or controlled by a foreign adversary.  The FCC considers the following countries to be “foreign adversaries":

• The Peoples Republic of China

• Cuba

• Iran

• North Korea

• Russia

• Venezuela (if connected with ousted president Nicholas Maduro)

Under the rules, stations will have to certify their foreign ownership structure with the FCC.  Any station indicating that is owned partly by a foreign adversary will have to disclose all foreign adversary ownership interests of 10% or greater and describe the nature of the foreign adversary’s control.  The FCC will be setting up a reporting schedule for these stations. Larger stations will be required to report more often. The Commission is given the authority to revoke authorizations for stations that fail to file in a timely manner or file incorrect certifications.

The FCC just issued a compliance guide for stations that are owned or controlled by any of the above-mentioned countries.  You can see the guide here.

You can see the FCC’s decision regarding ownership by “foreign adversaries” here.