Comments Due: December 26, 2024
Reply Comments Due: January 9, 2025
On November 25, 2024, the FCC’s Media Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition to amend section 79.2(b)(2)(ii) of the Commission’s rules, known as the “Audible Crawl” rule. The rule currently requires broadcasters to provide an aural representation of visual, non-textual emergency information, such as radar maps or other graphics, on a secondary audio stream. The petition, filed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), would amend the rule to state that the requirement is met if a station provides aurally-accessible textual crawls that convey emergency information duplicative of or equivalent to the visual, non-textual information.
The FCC also seeks comment on the petition’s request for an 18-month extension to NAB’s existing waiver of the Audible Crawl rule, which is currently set to expire on November 26, 2024.
Public Notice:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-1184A1.pdf
NAB petition:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/1115662625005.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference MB Docket No. 12-107. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
For additional information, contact Diana Sokolow, Media Bureau, Policy Division, at (202) 418-0588 or Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).