[BC] Public File Follies in NYC

[Alan Peterson]

FROM TOM TAYLOR'S "TAYLOR-ON-RADIO-INFO" newsletter (edited for brevity):

New York Times reporter Meredith Hoffman had a pretty dismal experience when visiting local NYC stations, asking to see the public file. 

Visiting the offices of Emmis' "Hot 97" WQHT and "Kiss 98.7" WRKS, "a receptionist looked puzzled at the mention of a public file, said most of the staff was in a meeting, and invited the reporter to leave a message. The message never received a response." 

Over at the Clear Channel offices, also in downtown Manhattan, a staffer "chided a reporter for trying to enter without an appointment, and insisted she arrange a time at least one day in advance" - a clear violation of the FCC rules. 

It was even worse at WNBC-TV in midtown - they "took a week to respond to requests for access, initially telling a reporter 'you have to make an appointment' and 'we can't let you in without knowing what company you're with.'" 

Only pubcaster WNET "granted instant access to its files." 

(See the article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/nyregion/at-radio-and-tv-outlets-a-little-known-trove-of-kudos-and-complaints.html?_r=1&utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=3e93c5293b-TRI_12-06-2011&utm_medium=email )