Inspecting Broadcasters' Public and Political Files

A Handy How-To Guide

All stations are required to maintain public files that include information about station ownership, educational and community affairs programming and public complaints. These files also contain information on political ad spending. Even though this information is intended for the public, accessing it is inconvenient. The Federal Communications Commission recently ruled that television stations must put the information in their public and political files online … but there’s a catch. While all stations must digitize their public files this year, only the major-network stations in the country’s largest media markets will be required to post their political files online in 2012. All other stations can delay posting until 2014. We’re working with volunteers and organizations across the country to collect the information from these files and post it online now. If you would like to help collect those files, please sign up here and we will call on you to conduct an inspection of your own.

  • Step One: Find Your Station and Make an Appointment

    Find out which stations are closest to you and call them up to make an appointment. Appointments are not required, but most stations appreciate the advance notice. If you are uncertain what broadcast stations are near you, try a Wikipedia search for the stations in your state (i.e., "List of Television Stations in Ohio").

  • Step Two: Prepare Yourself

    Learn more about what to expect at the station:

    Once you have a handle on what to look for at the station, be sure to pack the following for your visit:

    • A digital camera or cellphone, which you will use to take photos of documents
    • Money for photocopies. Stations are allowed to charge a “reasonable rate” for copies. Some stations will make copies for free while others charge as much as $1 per page. Collect receipts for any copying charges.

  • Step Three: Conduct Your Inspection

    Stations are required to show the public files to anyone who asks to see them. Arrive at your station during regular business hours and ask to see the public file. Station staff will either take you directly to the files, or they may ask which files you’re looking for and bring that material to you. They may leave you alone with the files, or they may stay with you during your inspection. Use our Public File Inspection Checklist to guide your visit. Here are some examples of information to collect:

    • Ask to see the station’s Issues/Programs Lists for the past two quarters. These lists are filed quarterly and document which local issues the station covered and how it covered them.
    • Ask for the station’s political file for the past two to three months. The political file contains information about what political ads were aired during this period, and who paid for them.
    • If the station is covertly consolidated, ask to see the Local Marketing Agreement, Joint Operating Agreement, Time Brokerage Agreement or Shared Services Agreement. Please note whether the station has copies of these agreements on file.

    For more information on these documents, please read our complete guide here. Be sure to photocopy all documents listed in the Public File Inspection Checklist. If any of these documents are missing from the public file, please make a note of that.

  • Step Four: Follow Up

    After your visit, please send us your checklist, along with pictures and photocopies of the documents you’ve inspected, as soon as possible. You may email information to channels@freepress.net. Paper copies can be mailed to: Free Press ATTN: Candace Clement 40 Main St., Suite 301 Florence, MA 01062 We will review the materials upon receipt and keep you in the loop as we work with allies to analyze and catalogue this information.