Here's what happened: Those ugly tones we hear on the radio and TV during weather and other emergencies are considered "sacred" to the FCC, as they are to only be used in a real emergency or life-threatening situation. It's called the Emergency Alert System, or EAS.
Recently, the FCC has fined radio and TV stations for including those "alert tones" in advertising and promotional announcements. One would think that those stations would not want to mislead their listeners/viewers, but, the almighty dollar is a very strong motivator.
Well, WTRC-FM, a FedMed/Pathfinder station licensed to Niles, Michigan and serving the South Bend/Elkhart market got caught including those tones in an advertisement, and has agreed to pay the FCC $46,000 for their actions. While the language of the FCC document calls it a "consent decree" as opposed to a "fine", it's appears to be the equivalent of a plea bargain.
Read for yourself here:
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db1210/DA-14-1656A1.pdf
This sure takes the heat of the kids in the WOWO news room, eh?
Good. Too bad they can't fine the advertisers as well. I think this is an abominable practice... not on the level of shooting cops, but nonetheless abominable.
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