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General Category => General Radio Discussion => Topic started by: ChrisSmolinski on November 27, 2011, 2342 UTC

Title: Pirate Fines Are Often Tough to Collect
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on November 27, 2011, 2342 UTC

WASHINGTON — While the FCC Enforcement Bureau tally of fines against “pirate” operators has grown steadily this year, it is hard to know how many of those fines will ever be collected.

In fact, broadcast industry people familiar with commission practices believe the FCC likely fails to collect a majority of pirate fines.

Once the commission starts to go after an alleged illegal operator, things get complicated. It’s not easy to collect money from what often turn out to be fly-by-night operations. And in tight economic times, when federal agencies face budget constraints, authorities must decide how far to go to collect a relative pittance.

One problem lies in the fact that the FCC needs an outside agency help to get an enforcement action to stick, observers said. The commission can assess fines on an unlicensed broadcaster, but it must engage the services of the United States Department of Justice to file a civil claim for the judgment rendered, according to the Communications Act of 1934...

Full article:
http://radioworld.com/article/pirate-fines-are-often-tough-to-collect/24837 (http://radioworld.com/article/pirate-fines-are-often-tough-to-collect/24837)

Title: Re: Pirate Fines Are Often Tough to Collect
Post by: Zoidberg on November 28, 2011, 1603 UTC

Pretty good article, one of the more reader-friendly reports I've seen on the FCC pirate enforcement issues.  Most similar articles written by generalized newspapers/websites tend to miss the mark and those written for radio industry insiders tend to be either pedantic and dull or obviously biased against (rarely for) free radio.

Title: Re: Pirate Fines Are Often Tough to Collect
Post by: cmradio on November 29, 2011, 0314 UTC

Quote from: Lex on November 28, 2011, 1603 UTC

Most similar articles written by generalized newspapers/websites tend to miss the mark ...

Yes, how it goes.

Industry Canada press release: "Vancouver FM pirate busted......[details] .......pirate radio MAY interfere with services."
Blog/e-Zine Reports: "Vancouver FM pirate busted, caused interference."
Vancouver Sun newspaper story: "FM pirate busted, transmissions wreak safety havoc at YVR."

Peace!

Title: Re: Pirate Fines Are Often Tough to Collect
Post by: diymedia on November 29, 2011, 0500 UTC

I am just happy that I got the phrase "paper tiger" in the context of the FCC into print!