Should Broadcast Stations Be Closed Off from the Public?

Broadcast stations may soon no longer be required to make their buildings be open to the public, Republican FCC commissioner Michael O'Rielly wrote Tuesday.

The announcement comes a month after two broadcast journalists in Virginia were shot to death on live television by a disgruntled former colleague.

"This positive step will improve the safety of broadcast stations while enhancing public access to key records," O'Rielly wrote in a statement about new rules that would require stations to make their public inspection files available online. Once stations have these files online, O'Rielly writes, it would make sense to eliminate the rule that says any member of the public may physically review them.

"I call on my fellow Commissioners to help to improve the safety and security of America's broadcasters and their employees by reducing unnecessary access if or when any efforts to expand the online public file go live," O'Rielly wrote.

Public inspection files contain a variety of information about broadcast stations, including their recruitment efforts, writer mail and comments, and records regarding children's programming. For years the files have been kept in cabinets in broadcast stations across the country where citizens can request access to them. This policy can make broadcast journalists more vulnerable to harm, O'Rielly wrote.

"The Commission's public file inspection requirement clearly creates a potential weakness in broadcasters' security efforts," he wrote. "When unknown individuals are allowed into a broadcast facility for any purpose, but in particular, to review the public inspection file, the list of potential risks can be quite long, including violence."

O'Rielly detailed one instance in which broadcasters in Alaska relayed to him of a viewer repeatedly entering the premises to remove the public file documents. He said instances like these could quickly turn violent and requested more feedback from broadcast stations, noting that in December's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the FCC sought comment on whether this policy would increase security for journalists.

"I call on my fellow Commissioners to help to improve the safety and security of America's broadcasters and their employees by reducing unnecessary access if or when any efforts to expand the online public file go live," he wrote.

Correction: An earlier version of this article said that the change to requirements for public review of public inspection files had already taken place; that is incorrect. Rather, FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly was calling on his agency to make the change.