KALW License Challenge by the FCC

KALW License Proceeding at the FCC

To view the FCC’s Administrative Law Judge’s Decision click here

(San Francisco) - The San Francisco Unified School District is pleased to announce that its license for SFUSD radio station, KALW FM (91.7), has been renewed pursuant to a decision released Friday, April 7, 2006 by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Federal Communications Commission.

“The District is grateful the Federal Communications Commission renewed the license for KALW which will allow us to expand our programming for both youth and the entire community as it relates to education” said Norman Yee, president of the Board of Education.

In 1997, a license challenge was levied against KALW by an organization called Golden Gate Public Radio. This challenge remained pending with the FCC for several years, and went to hearing before an ALJ in Washington D.C. in June 2005. On Friday, the ALJ released his decision, which provides that the station’s license will be renewed for a period of 2 years. The station’s last renewal application was submitted in 1997.

The hearing focused on allegations that the station failed to comply with FCC regulations requiring maintenance of a public file that documents station ownership reports and contains lists of important public issues addressed by station programs. Additionally, the judge considered whether station staff intentionally misled the FCC regarding the status of the public file.

The ALJ concluded that there were irregularities in how the 1997 license renewal application was completed, and that station employees missed subsequent opportunities to correct these irregularities. Moreover, SFUSD admitted technical deficiencies in the prior maintenance of the public file. However, the ALJ did not find intentional misrepresentation by SFUSD, and the decision acknowledged that there was no question that KALW has provided meritorious service to the community through its programming on significant issues to the public.

The ALJ imposed a $10,000 fine against SFUSD for the technical violations of FCC rules related to the public file, which represents the base forfeiture amount for that type of rule violation.

SFUSD is committed to maintaining its level of public service to the community through KALW programming, and to continued compliance with FCC rules and regulations applicable to a public radio station.

For more information, contact Lorna Ho, Office of Public Engagement, (415) 241-6565.