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Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC’S RAMPED UP ‘PIRATE RADIO’ ENFORCEMENT
YIELDS RESULTS
Unlawful Broadcasts Interfere with Licensed Stations, Preventing Consumers from 
Accessing Broadcast Content, Including Emergency Alerts
  -- 
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, April 11, 2018—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai today announced that 
significant progress has been made as a result of the Commission’s renewed commitment to 
combating unlawful broadcasting—often called “pirate radio.”  The FCC’s Enforcement 
Bureau has led an effort to crack down on this illegal activity, resulting in unlawful broadcasts 
going off the air, seizure of equipment, fines against pirates, proposed fines against pirates and 
property owners actively aiding pirate radio operations, and numerous other enforcement 
actions.  Chairman Pai has used the full suite of the FCC’s enforcement capabilities and staff, 
including targeted enforcement in key markets.
“Fighting unlawful broadcasts is a top enforcement priority for the FCC,” said Chairman Pai.  
“Pirate operators can interfere with important public safety announcements and hurt licensed 
broadcasters’ business.  Consumers should be able to get the news and information 
programming they count on.”
Since January 2017, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has undertaken 306 pirate investigations, 
issued 210 Notices of Unlicensed Operation, issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for 
Forfeiture for the statutory maximum penalty to pirate radio operators, entered into a 
groundbreaking settlement with a Miami-area pirate radio operator to end his broadcasts and 
collect a fine, and referred cases to United States Attorneys’ Offices to obtain federal court 
orders, which has led to four cases of pirate radio equipment being seized to date—two in 
Boston; one in Queens, New York; and one in Miami.  (The Miami, Boston, and New York 
City metropolitan areas have generally proven to have the greatest concentration of pirate radio 
activities, as shown in this FCC map: https://go.usa.gov/xRMhe.)  As part of these efforts, the 
Enforcement Bureau designated a subset of cases for further targeted enforcement.
In 2017, the FCC took more than twice as many actions against pirate broadcasters than it did 
the year before.  Since January 2017, the Commission has fined illegal broadcasters $143,800 
and proposed fines totaling $323,688.  The Commission also for the first time found property 
owners apparently liable for actively supporting this illegal activity on their property.  These 
actions have resulted in numerous unlicensed stations ceasing operation.  
Much of the FCC’s work in enforcing the law when it comes to unlicensed broadcasts is done 
by the agents in FCC field offices.  Chairman Pai noted: “I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank our 
outstanding field agents for their hard work enforcing the law.  Guarding against interference 
of lawful broadcasts lies at the heart of the Commission’s work, and it would not be possible 
without their skill and dedication.”
 
Federal law generally prohibits the operation of a broadcast radio or TV station without a 
license issued by the Commission.  Congress enacted this requirement nearly a century ago as a 
means of managing interference to ensure functioning communications services and ensure a 
fair and equitable distribution by the FCC of scarce spectrum resources to maximize its 
availability and use among entities, such as public safety agencies and TV and radio 
broadcasters.  Pirate stations undermine this mission.  Such stations can interfere with licensed 
communications (including authorized broadcasts and communications by public safety 
entities).  In addition, pirate stations can also pose a danger to the public because they can 
interfere with licensed stations’ ability to convey important public safety messages, including 
Emergency Alert System (EAS) transmissions, that provide vital information regarding 
weather and other dangers to the public.  
Meanwhile, the Commission has also pursued ways to provide more opportunities to start-up 
broadcasters.  The FCC has licensed low power radio stations in markets where that can be 
done without causing interference.  Also, the use of fill-in translators rebroadcasting AM 
stations and FM stations, including HD-Radio sub-channels, has expanded the availability of 
programming in the FM band, including in major markets.  In addition, modern technology has 
empowered many new voices to reach audiences online via streamed radio services and other 
tools, like podcasts, that do not impact licensed spectrum users.
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).