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Physical Public File Should Continue, Say Howard University Professors

The FCC should continue to require broadcasters to make a physical public inspection file available at their stations, said Howard University media professors in an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 16-161. Suggestions to make public files available entirely…

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online “ignore an important reality of America today,” the filing said. “A significant number of Americans still do not have access to online services and a significant number of those who do have no access to broadband.” The FCC 2016 broadband progress report says 34 million Americans lack access to broadband service, the academics said. “An exclusive use of online platforms, therefore, will cut off a large number of Americans from access to comments regarding stations that are expected to serve the 'public interest.'” Arguments that few members of the public go to stations to see the public files and that the rules are obsolete should be disregarded, the filing said. “The underlying principle of transparency in public reactions to station performance has not grown obsolete -- these stations operate in the public interest, necessity and convenience.” Few members of the public know they're entitled to view the public file, the filing said. The FCC should strengthen requirements for broadcasters to let the public know they have the option to view the documents, wrote Carolyn Byerly, Chuka Onwumechili, Abbas Malek, Clint Wilson and a few others.