The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reached a $540,000 settlement with the former owner of a New Hampshire country radio station that broadcast 178 commercial announcements supporting the Northern Pass project without identifying the sponsor.
The FCC says its settlement with Cumulus Media, former owner of Dover-based WOKQ, 97.5 FM, is the largest ever involving a single station for violating sponsor identification laws.
“Radio and television stations that are paid to air any announcements or other content are required to clearly disclose the payer’s identity,” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc said. “While failure to disclose these identities generally misleads the public, it is particularly concerning when consumers are duped into supporting controversial environmental projects.”