ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Federal Communications Commission has warned an Anchorage church that it can no longer broadcast on a radio station without a license.
The FCC officially warned Anchorage Baptist Temple on Monday after making a trip to the church this summer, KTUU-TV reported (https://bit.ly/2es9wx5 ).
Tom Steigleman, general manager for nonprofit Christian Broadcasting Inc., which has offices at the church, said the broadcast has been silent for a month or more following the FCC’s visit.
Anchorage Baptist Temple began broadcasting on 99.9 FM years ago as a way to play Christmas music with its lights display, Steigleman said. The broadcast carried into the holiday off-season, when church announcements would play on a loop. The signal had barely reached across the street, he said.
“Somebody picked it up on their car radio and probably somebody who doesn’t like the church - a little controversial around here at times - and decided to cause a stir,” Steigleman said.
The FCC warned the church that pirate broadcasts are against federal law and punishable by “substantial monetary fines” and “criminal sanctions including imprisonment.”
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Information from: KTUU-TV, https://www.ktuu.com
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