Eshoo, Doyle Blast Pai Over 'Russian Propaganda' on US Radio Stations
Seven Democratic House legislators blasted Chairman Ajit Pai for failing to enforce FCC rules on registered foreign agents and requirements “to clearly identify Russian propaganda aired on U.S. radio stations,” in a letter released Thursday. Anna Eshoo, Jerry McNerney and…
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Jimmy Panetta, all California; Mike Doyle, Pennsylvania; David Cicilline, Rhode Island; Sharice Davids, Kansas; and Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington, D.C., signed. The agency’s inaction on the matter is “a stunning abdication of its responsibility to protect American airwaves,” they said. The legislators are concerned with RM Broadcasting airing content from Russian-controlled news agency Rossiya Segodnya on WZHF(AM) Capitol Heights, Maryland (see 1909170032). The FCC opened an enforcement inquiry into WZHF in 2018, and it’s ongoing, the letter said. “As a result of the Commission’s apathetic approach to enforcement, American radio listeners remain in the dark." WZHF reportedly bought six hours of air time on KXCL Kansas City, apparently referring to KCXL(AM) Liberty, Missouri, and the FCC should add that station to its inquiry, the letter said. Pai’s duty as chairman “compels” him to fully enforce the sponsorship ID rules against adversarial foreign agents “immediately,” the lawmakers said. The stations didn’t comment.