While there have been other disasters during our lifetime, few are of the magnitude Japan is experiencing. Over the weeks and months to come, much help will be needed to rebuild the lives of those affected by the continuing devastation the earthquake and tsunami have caused. To assist with Japan relief efforts, the Federal Communications Commission today announced procedures on how noncommercial educational (NCE) stations can request a waiver to conduct on-air fundraising in support of these efforts.
The Commission’s rules generally prohibit NCEs from on-air fundraising on behalf of any entity other than the station itself. However, the Commission has previously granted waivers for limited fundraising programs or for station appeals for disasters such as Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina, the Haiti 2010 earthquake, and the September 11th terrorist attack, among others. Stations are already requesting waivers and we look forward to granting as many as we can in support of this important cause.
More information can be found in the public notice issued today.