By Peter Tannenwald
703-812-0404
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The FCC is on the prowl again, this time striking at a station for going over the line with "underwriting" announcements before it gave up the noncommercial ship and switched to commercial status.  And the attack was on the sacred national treasure -- Tastee Freeze ice cream.

You will recall that noncommercial stations may acknowledge funding but may not use qualitative terms or suggest that listeners should make a purchase.

The announcements on this station (WCVZ, South Zanesville, Ohio) said that Tastee Freez products are "tastefully decorated" -- whoops, that says they are of good quality -- and they may be suitable for "a special occasion" -- whoops, that's telling you to buy some if you're having a party.

The friendly neighborhood realtor also caused heartburn with announcements that "we are about family," and "we love selling real estate" -- whoops, that says they are nice people, which is not allowed.

The FCC did back down in one situation, where a vendor's products were described as "creative learning materials."   The FCC left that one alone.

Don't count on any let-up in the FCC's enforcement efforts in the underwriting area.  The new decision included a bill to the station for $9,000 to help fund the FCC's budget.

        

 

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