I was reading the paperwork of a radio station that was sold last month. While the FCC is doing the paperwork, a “sold” station generally operates under the control of the Buyer, but subject to rules set by the Seller – until the license has been transferred, the Seller is still legally responsible for the station.
This LMA agreement had interersting language, and it appears to be “boilerplate”, probably carrying forward the language from the “fairness doctrine’.
See what you think:
Controversial Issues. Any discussion of controversial issues of public importance shall be reasonably balanced with the presentation of contrasting viewpoints in the course of overall programming; no attacks on the honesty, integrity or like personal qualities of any person or group of persons shall be made during the discussion of controversial issues of public importance; and during the course of political campaigns, Programs are not to be used as a forum for editorializing about individual candidates. If such events occur, Licensees may require that responsive programming be aired.
And so it begins………….
Lately many issues are about “honesty, integrity or personal qualities” of our public officials and, therefore, by their very nature, subjective. Let the listeners be the arbiters.