Foreign-Sponsored Content NPRM Too Broad, Says NPR

The FCC’s proposed rules for foreign-sponsored programming are too broad and threaten “to interfere with core First Amendment activities,” said NPR in comments posted Tuesday in docket 20-299 (see 2010260052). The NPRM “would appear to require everyone involved in funding, producing, acquiring, distributing and broadcasting programming” to research potential financial supporters and providers of content “on a routine basis no matter how innocuous the putative ‘sponsor,’” NPR said. The proposal assumes identifying foreign-sponsored content is easier than it really is and all foreign government-sponsored content is political, NPR said. It also should clarify that sponsor identification isn’t required “when a broadcaster exercises sole and independent editorial control” over content. “Unless expressly limited, these facets of the NPRM’s expanded sponsor identification obligation would pose significant obstacles to broadcasters like NPR,” the filing said. The agency should reconsider whether such rules are needed or limit their scope, NPR said.