The FCC issues broadcast licenses specifying the community of license, the
channel and operating power of the station. The conditions of the license
ensure that the broadcast will be picked up without interference within a
specified service area. Generally, the FCC does not govern the selection
of programming that is broadcast. The main exceptions are: restrictions on
indecent programming, limits on the number of commercials aired during
children's programming, and rules involving candidates for public office.
Our most commonly asked questions about radio are:
How can I file a complaint about obscenity or indecency on the radio or
television?
You may file a written complaint and mail it to:
FCC
Enforcement Bureau, Investigations and Hearings Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
The Commission asks complainants to provide the following information:
(1) the date and time of the alleged broadcast; (2) the call sign of the
station involved; and (3) information regarding the details of what was
actually said (or depicted) during the alleged indecent or obscene
broadcast. With respect to item (3), in making indecency determinations,
context is key! The Commission staff must have sufficient information
regarding what was actually said during the alleged broadcast, the meaning
of what was said and the context in which it was stated. There is
flexibility in how a complainant may provide this information. For
example, the complainant may provide a significant excerpt of the program
describing what was actually said (or depicted) or a full or partial tape
or transcript of the material. In whatever form, the complainant provides
the information, it must be sufficiently detailed such that the Commission
can determine the words and language actually used during the broadcast
and the context of those words or language. More
information about obscenity and indecency complaints...
How can I start my own radio station?
See the FCC’s fact
sheet on how to own a radio station.
What can I do about interference to my radio?
Just like with your television set, the source of the problem could be
your home electronics equipment. It may not be adequately designed with
circuitry or filtering to reject the unwanted signals of nearby
transmitters. The FCC recommends that you contact the manufacturer and/or
the store where the equipment was purchased to resolve the problem. For
more information on broadcast interference, click
here.
More consumer information on radio issues
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