ESPN Faces FCC Fine for ‘Willful’ Violations of Emergency Alert System Rules, Agency Says
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital Editor ESPN “apparently willfully and repeatedly” violated FCC rules concerning the Emergency Alert System in an NBA promo spot last year, the commission said Thursday.
The FCC announced a proposed fine of $146,976 against ESPN for six apparent violations of the Emergency Alert System rules. According to the agency, ESPN transmitted (or caused the transmission of) EAS codes during a promotional segment for the start of the 2023-2024 NBA season six times “in the absence of an actual emergency, authorized test of the EAS, or a qualified public service announcement.” Reached by Variety, a spokesman for Disney-owned ESPN declined to comment. “Transmitting EAS Tones in the absence of an actual emergency is not a game,” FCC Enforcement Bureau chief Loyaan A.
Egal said in a statement. “These types of violations can raise substantial public safety concerns by causing confusion and in some cases interfering with legitimate emergency uses.
Today’s proposed fine reflects the FCC’s commitment to keep the lines clear when it comes to the proper use of tools broadcasters are entrusted with to assist the public during an emergency.” On Oct.
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