Commercial broadcasters are no longer required to publish notices of FCC filings in local newspapers. Instead, they must place an “FCC Applications” link on station website homepages or, if a station does not have a website, on the website of the station’s licensee or parent entity. If no such website exists, broadcasters must provide public notices on a locally-oriented website such as a community bulletin board or website operated by a local government. The “FCC Applications” link must be easy to see and can be in the same place on the homepage where links to other required FCC information – such as Public Inspection File and EEO reports – are found.

The “FCC Applications” link must direct users to a separate permanent webpage that contains the texts of any required public notices. The “FCC Applications” link and webpage must remain clearly visible and active even if a station does not have any currently pending FCC applications that are subject to the public notice requirement. A station that does not have any such applications must note that fact on its “FCC Applications” page by stating, for example, “There are no pending applications subject to the FCC’s public notice requirement.” The date the page was last updated must also be included.

Stations must post the text of any required public notices to its “FCC Applications” webpage within five business days of the date the FCC issues public notice accepting an application for filing. Once the required notice is posted, it must remain on the website for 30 consecutive days.

The FCC has simplified the text of required notices. The text now contains standardized language that applies regardless of the type of application that is filed.

Noncommercial broadcasters are generally exempt from the online public notice requirements, just as they were previously exempt from the newspaper publication requirements.