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● Introduction & Index ● What is PR ● Job Expectations ● Types of Media ● Building Relationships ● Media, Hams & FCC Rules ● The Basic News Release ● Interviews and Live ● Making your own show ● Easy P.R. ● Public Service Events ● Piggy-back to Events ● Pictures NOW! ● P.R. Research Aids ● Making Friends ● ARES® PIO ● Final Exam Information |
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FCC Regulations on Hams and News Media You must know this! During a disaster, media representatives sometimes use Amateur Radio as a source of information and news stories about conditions in the affected region. Many Amateur Radio operators (”hams”) are willing to provide interviews with reporters concerning information and operations from the disaster site. In addition, reporters may wish to develop stories on Amateur Radio’s role in disaster relief – handling health and welfare traffic out of the site, for example. PIOs linked with ARES, local emergency services groups or clubs often help in this. However, under Federal law, Amateur Radio may not be used for active news gathering or program production purposes. For example, it would not be legal for a reporter to use Amateur Radio in a professional capacity to interview someone in another location. This is spelled out in Part 97.113(b), Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Amateur Radio operators are permitted to assist news media representatives in gathering information to be relayed to the public only from areas where normal communication have been disrupted, particularly when the information involves the safety or life of individuals or the immediate protection of property and no other channels of communication are available. The operator may ask questions of, or relay media questions to, Amateur Radio operators in the area. The responses may be electronically recorded by media representatives. However, Amateur Radio must not be used to assist the news media in gathering information when telephones or other commercial means of communication are available. One frequent concern happens when a TV reporter wants to put their mike up against your Amateur Radio speaker and record or broadcast the ham’s reports and conversations. Do you let them do it? 47 CFR 73.1207(c)(3) reads: “Messages originated by stations in the amateur [sic] and Citizens Band (CB) radio services may be rebroadcast at the discretion of broadcast station licensees.” While there are restrictions on an amateur transmitting at the behest or request of a reporter for newsgathering purposes, there are no restrictions at all upon a reporter retransmitting audio from the amateur service. So you might answer, “Yes, if you feel retransmission is prudent. There’s no rule against it.” However the reverse is NOT true. Under no circumstances may Amateur Radio operators retransmit commercial radio and television broadcasts. |
