FCC Sends EEO Audit Letters to 15 Texas Stations

posted on 4.02.2024

- Responses Due by May 6

With the April 1 deadline for filing and uploading stations’ annual FCC EEO Public File Report now in the rear view mirror, it’s important to note that the FCC does routinely review stations’ EEO programs to ensure they’re meeting the goals set forth by the commission.

The FCC Enforcement Bureau annually audits the EEO programs of about five percent of all Radio and Television broadcast licensees throughout the country, with stations selected at random and responses required to be uploaded to a station’s public file. 

The latest round of audit letters were sent by the FCC on March 22 and included 15 Texas stations, listed below, that must act by May 6 or risk potential fines.

Texas Stations Receiving March 22 FCC EEO Audit Letters

• KEYJ-FM Abilene
• KLTY FM Arlington        
• KBST AM Big Spring
• KHCU-FM Concan
• KBEX-FM Dalhart
• KQBU-AM El Paso
• KDFM-FM Falfurrias
• KQCI-FM Freer
• KEYH-AM Houston
• KFAN-FM Johnson City
• KDOK Kilgore
• KGLK-FM Lake Jackson
• KJTV-AM Lubbock
• KAHL-AM San Antonio
• KMAT-FM Seadrift 

Stations won’t receive any confirmation from the FCC once audit responses are uploaded, but may receive questions from Enforcement Bureau staff during their review.

Questions regarding these audit letters can be directed to the FCC Enforcement Bureau at either EB-EEO@fcc.gov or 202-418-1450.

About That EEO Report

The report is part of the FCC’s EEO rule that requires non-exempt station employment units (SEUs) to broadly disseminate information concerning full-time job openings, including sending notifications to requesting referral organizations. It also requires such stations to participate in non-vacancy outreach such as job fairs, internship programs, and other efforts.

TAB member stations can use Broadcast 1 Source for a nominal fee to keep track of their various compliance strategies, upload reports to their FCC public files, and even conduct self-audits.

A station’s EEO report encompasses activities in the previous 12 months, in the most recent case, from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. LPFM stations and stations with fewer than five full-time employees are exempt from filing the report.

Attorneys at TAB’s FCC legal counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, recently wrote about the required report in the firm’s CommLawCenter blog and provided practical guidance on how stations can prepare their EEO compliance plan.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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