Transparency Groups Blast Scripps, WCPO Over Political File
Responses from E.W. Scripps and WCPO-TV Cincinnati to complaints by transparency groups (see 1609300059) about the station's online political file affirm WCPO's “flagrant non-compliance” with the Communications Act and FCC rules, said the Benton Foundation, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause…
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and Sunlight Foundation, in a reply Thursday. The FCC should act before the Nov. 8 election to require WCPO to correct its online political advertising files, the groups said. They asked the agency to "promptly take other measures, including assessing forfeitures and issuing a Public Notice reminding broadcast stations of their obligations, to ensure that all Commission licensees get the message that the Commission will no longer tolerate pervasive non-compliance during this important election season, or ever.” Scripps' argument that the groups should have approached the station about the problem before the FCC is incorrect, the groups said. “It is WCPO’s responsibility to comply with the rules without prompting and, in any event, it is not the job of the public to identify violations and enforce noncompliance,” the groups said. “This is the Commission’s job.” Scripps didn't comment Friday.