Tuesday, January 12, 2021

FCC Goes After Landlords of Pirate Broadcasters


In a new tactic in its ongoing battle against pirate broadcasters, the FCC has started citing owners and managers of properties on which suspected unlicensed transmitters are located. According to a report in Radio World, the authority to go after landowners was included in the recently passed PIRATE Act, which gave the FCC additional tools to chase down unlicensed broadcasters.

In announcing the issuance of "Notices of Illegal Pirate Radio Broadcasting" to owners of three properties in New York City, the FCC said parties that "knowingly facilitate illegal broadcasting on their property are liable for fines up to $2 million."