Legal News
Policy-related stories involving the broadcasting, streaming, advertising, measurement and journalism industries. Includes public service journalism on press freedom issues, government agencies and international affairs.
Nexstar to pay $80,500 to settle FCC probe over rules violations
In an agreement reached with the FCC this week, Nexstar will be allowed to make a "voluntary" payment of $80,500 to settle violations of federal public disclosure rules.
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SiliconDust: Broadcasters already know about NextGen TV emergency alert limits
Federal law requires TV stations to make their emergency notifications as available as possible, SiliconDust said in their new FCC letter.
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News anchor gets restraining order against Bakersfield shooting suspect
A California news anchor has obtained a protective order against a woman accused of shooting at a local television station multiple times earlier this month.
FCC’s Gomez urges NAB to defend broadcasters against polling investigations
In a letter on Friday, Gomez accused the Trump administration of trying to influence news reporting by broadcasters ahead of the midterm election.
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FCC upholds fines against New York, Massachusetts pirate radio operators
The decisions, affirmed by the Chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau this week, involve unauthorized radio operations in Brooklyn, Spring Valley and Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Raleigh news producer arrested at TV station
Randall Kerr was detained by police at WRAL-TV's studios on Wednesday after he allegedly violated a domestic violence protection order.
Alleged Fox News leaker arraigned under new indictment
Timothy Burke could earn years in federal prison if a jury convicts him of computer hacking, conspiracy and wiretapping charges brought under a superseding indictment.
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Facebook parent Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in New Mexico lawsuit
The judgment was signed weeks after a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for 43 million violations of state privacy laws.
FCC’s Carr engages in election interference with baseless threat about polls
It is not illegal for news outlets operated by licensed radio and TV stations to report on public polling data that they know or believe to be legitimate.
NAB says SiliconDust’s concerns about scheduled EAS test are overblown
The NAB said the upcoming emergency test is meant to gauge how encrypted TV stations deliver those alerts to viewers.
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SiliconDust urges NextGen TV stations to drop encryption during EAS test
SiliconDust reached out to broadcast groups asking them to disable their use of digital rights management encryption on NextGen TV signals during a national emergency test in November.
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Missouri news groups sue Highway Patrol over crash records
The lawsuit alleges the Patrol began withholding names and other information in 2024 after decades of providing unredacted records.