Hmmm….. all this talk about calling in the FCC to monitor newsrooms gives us an idea.
Not that we want them monitored, mind you – not at all. But they have a mechanism for complaining about “rigging or slanting the news” so it would be wrong of us not to speak up, right?
From the FCC website:
Complaints About Broadcast Journalism
What Responsibilities Do Broadcasters Have?
As public trustees, broadcasters may not intentionally distort the news. Broadcasters are responsible for deciding what their stations present to the public, and the FCC has stated publicly that “rigging or slanting the news is a most heinous act against the public interest.” The FCC may act to protect the public interest when it has received documented evidence of such rigging or slanting. This kind of evidence could include testimony, in writing or otherwise, from “insiders” or persons who have direct personal knowledge of an intentional falsification of the news. Of particular concern would be evidence about orders from station management to falsify the news. Without such documented evidence, the FCC generally cannot intervene.
What If I Have Comments Or Concerns About A Specific News Broadcast Or Commentary?
All concerns or comments about a specific news broadcast or commentary should be directed to the local station and network involved, so that the people responsible for making the programming decisions can become better informed about audience opinion.
Filing A Complaint With The FCC
Complaints regarding news distortion, rigging or slanting can also be filed free-of-charge with the FCC. Complaints alleging news distortion, rigging or slanting must contain documented evidence in support of the allegations. It is not sufficient for a complaint to allege only that a broadcast station made a mistake in reporting a news event. The complaint must include documented evidence showing deliberate misrepresentation.
You can file your complaint using an online complaint form. You also can file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by calling
1-888-CALL-FCC1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-53221-888-225-5322) voice
or 1-888-TELL-FCC1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-53221-888-835-5322) TTY;
faxing 1-866-418-02321-866-418-0232;
or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
What To Include In Your Complaint
The best way to provide all the information the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the online complaint form. When you open the online complaint form, you will be asked a series of questions that will take you to the particular section of the form you need to complete. If you do not use the online complaint form, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:
- your name, address, email address and phone number where you can be reached;
- name and phone number of the company that you are complaining about and location (city and state) if the company is a cable or satellite operator;
- station call sign (KDIU-FM or WZUE TV), radio station frequency (1020 or 88.5) or TV channel (13), and station location (city and state);
- network, program name and date and time of program if you are complaining about a particular program;
- any additional details of your complaint, including time, date and nature of the conduct or activity you are complaining about and identifying information for any companies, organizations or individuals involved; and
- documented evidence showing deliberate misrepresentation.
For More Information
For information about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau website, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center using the information provided for filing a complaint.
Print Out
Broadcast Journalism Complaints Guide (pdf)
Let’s not be shy!