IMPORTANT REGULATORY DEADLINES EXTENDED
In light of the recent natural disaster that struck the Southeastern United States, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has extended the deadline for the ETRS Form One from to October 18 to provide recovering broadcasters ample time to submit.
The previous deadline was October 4.
All EAS participants are now required to submit their ETRS Form One for calendar year 2024 in the ETRS by October 18, EAS participants that have already submitted their form do not need to take further action.
FCC Quarterly Issues/Programs Lists
In response to the ongoing recovery efforts of Southeastern broadcasters from the effects of Hurricane Helene, and the anticipated effects of Hurricane Milton, the FCC has extended the deadline for Q3 Issues and Programs Lists.
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will now have until November 10, 2024 to place their third quarter issues/programs lists into their Online Public Inspection File. The deadline for all other states remains as October 10, 2024.
The FCC does urge that while the deadline is extended, licensees are encouraged to file these items as soon as is practicable.
Georgia broadcasters, and their neighbors across the Southeast, continue to support their communities as recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene endure.
The strong relationship between broadcasters and state and local agencies have allowed for audiences to be provided with the most up-to-date information. From FEMA’s warnings of scams and fraud to GEMA’s estimated cost of damages, Georgians are made aware of each new development.
Many stations are reporting on the devastating effects of the hurricane on Georgia agriculture and the livelihoods of Georgia farmers. WSAV spoke with Bulloch County pecan farmer, Theron Anderson, whose entire crop was lost due to the forceful winds sustained during the storm.
Proving that broadcasters are serving their communities not only before and during, but in the aftermath, many stations have rallied to fundraise for the most harshly affected communities. Cox Media Group’s WSB-TV and WSB Radio are among the stations raising funds, and activated the stations’ “Convoy of Care.” According to WSB-TV, the disaster relief project delivered “much-needed supplies to Valdosta and Augusta, Georgia.
As more stories come to light, the value of local broadcasters during emergencies and natural disasters grows more prominent. Twelve State AGs who recognized this fact, sent a letter urging Congress to protect ‘life-saving’ AM radio.
More stories that highlight the value of broadcasting in times of emergencies can be read HERE; HERE; & HERE.
Devastatingly, this truth will be further proven as Florida faces Hurricane Milton’s arrival, which broadcasters have been tracking the development of since late last week. The storm, expected to make landfall on Wednesday, Oct. 8, is anticipated to have devastating effects on the state. The GAB sends its support to our Florida neighbors as they prepare their communities for the disaster.
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If you are a broadcaster that was affected by the storm, you may apply for assistance at Broadcasters Foundation of America.
WSAV-TV’s Director of Sales, Syed Hussain, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list. Georgia Trend Magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 list recognizes 40 of the most “successful and civic-minded people in the state under the age of 40.”
Hussain, who joined the WSAV team in 2022 as Director of Sales, attributes his success to super-serving his community and installing this belief and practice in his sales team. Some of these practices include prioritizing the interests of local clients; helping the station partner with local backpack and food drives; and assisting veterans entering the field.
Hussain’s passion for assisting veterans stems from Hussain being a combat veteran himself.
“I have made it my focus to leverage my positions, access, & resources to help my fellow veterans navigate that space [the corporate world],” he shared in an interview with WSAV.
Congratulations, Syed on your accomplishments. The GAB is proud to have broadcasters like you serving our community.
With the U.S. Presidential election taking place in a little less than a month, 11Alive interviewed GOP Vice-Presidential nominee, JD Vance, on the station’s Sunday political program, “The Georgia Vote.”
The conversation between 11Alive and the Ohio senator covered topics such as school safety, abortion rights and housing affordability, among other topics.
The 2024 Presidential Election takes place on November 5, 2024.
On Oct. 4, 2024, WSB-TV celebrated the birthday of beloved Channel 2 anchor Jovita Moore, who passed away in 2021 from an aggressive form of brain cancer.
To memorialize her impact on the Atlanta community and WSB-TV family, CMG and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) founded the Jovita Moore Memorial Scholarship. The $25,000 scholarship fund investment serves to support students studying journalism that are prepared to extend Jovita’s legacy.
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WSB-TV shares the steps to take for those who would like to make a contribution to the fund – If you’d like to help keep Jovita’s legacy alive, you can by donating to NABJ.org. Here’s how:
- Go to NABJonline.org and click Donate
- Select a pre-designated gift selection or type in a desired donation amount
- Select how often the donation will recur
- Under the first drop-down menu asking where to direct the donation, select Scholarships
- Under the second drop-down menu clarifying the type of scholarship, select Journalism Scholarships
- Check the box I would like to make this gift in honor of someone under In Tribute
- Type Jovita Moore in the Name of person being memorialized and honored box
- Fill out contact and payment information as requested
- Click the I’m not a robot box
- Submit
Radio Ink is currently accepting nominations for its fifth annual “30 And Under Superstars” list. Someone who would fit the criteria is “30 or younger who is redefining the norms, breaking barriers, and setting new benchmarks.”
Applications can be self-nominations or nominated by someone else. The deadline is October 18, 2024.
