Q. Are we employed or paid by the FCC? Do we get a bounty for turning-in stations with problems?
A. No to both. MAS is a privately owned professional services firm similar to your CPA. We have no affiliation with any government agency or other broadcasting outlet. Your problems are your business, unless you or the FCC ask for our cooperation.
Q. Do we turn-in stations found to be in violation of the Rules?
A. No, we don't 'tattle' unless there we find an egregious or dangerous condition, like exposed live bare wires or a tower that is about to fall down, etc. Sometimes good citizens must 'call the police' when they see something wrong.
Q. Is a compliance audit a legal requirement?
A. No, but compliance with the FCC Rules is a legal requirement. A compliance audit spots problems before the FCC does, and helps you stay out of trouble with the law.
Q. Why do we need you to come in and tell us what's wrong with our station? Why can't we do it ourselves?
A. You most certainly can do it yourself -- it is your responsibility -- but many stations don't, either out of ignorance or indifference or a sense that they won't get caught. An FCC compliance audit is like a fire inspection or pre-audit before you mail you tax return -- it's designed to catch problems before they bite you. Not making a profit is not a recognized excuse for breaking the law.
Q. Isn't what we do in our station secret and private?
A. A broadcast station is a Federally regulated entity conveying the privilege of using the publicly-owned radio spectrum for a limited (renewable) period. Therefore, almost everything about your business and technical operation is open to the public's scrutiny. You can keep trespassers off your property, but you can't keep citizens form inquiring into your Public File and knowing about your technical compliance with the FCC Rules. Any citizen can turn you in for violations like dark tower lights or profanity on the air, etc. Citizens and the Federal Government have the 'right to know' about your station and the way you keep things legal.
