PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           

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                                                  DA 98-1895

                                                            
                                             Released: September 28, 1998 

AVAILABILITY OF LOCALLY MAINTAINED RECORDS FOR INSPECTION BY MEMBERS OF
                           THE PUBLIC




In light of our recent modifications to the main studio and public inspection file rules in the Report and Order
in MM Docket No. 97-138, FCC 98-175 (August 11, 1998), we take this opportunity to reissue the statement
the FCC made in 1971 regarding the availability of locally maintained records for inspection by members of
the public.  See Public Notice dated February 23, 1971, 28 FCC 2d 71 (1971).  The availability of these
materials is important given that, in recent years, the FCC has increasingly come to rely on the involvement
and scrutiny by members of the public to monitor broadcast licensee performance.  See Deregulation of Radio,
84 FCC 2d 968, 1011 (1981).

With our recent decision to give stations greater flexibility about where to locate their main studios, and  to
drop our requirement that a station's public file be in its community of license, it is appropriate to remind
licensees, permittees, and applicants of their duty to afford ready access to the public file.  Thus, a station may
not require that a member of the public make an appointment in advance or return at another time to inspect
the public file, or that members of the public examine the public file only at times most convenient to the
licensee or its staff.  We also remind all licensees, permittees and applicants that while they may require
personal identification (names and addresses) of members of the public visiting the station, public file records
are to be provided to them on request and without requiring that they identify their organization.  See WBRN,
Inc., 32 FCC 2d 729 (1971).  Finally, as we have in the past, we encourage stations to set aside an area with
a table at which the public may inspect public file materials.  Public Notice, 28 FCC 2d at 71-72.  This Public
Notice is simply to reiterate the points made in the 1971 Public Notice concerning a licensee's obligation to
ensure access to its public file to members of the public visiting a station in person; these obligations are
separate and apart from the Commission's recently adopted requirements regarding the provision of certain
information and materials to members of the public who make telephone requests for public file documents. 
Report and Order in MM Docket No. 97-138, FCC 98-175, at 24-26.