FCC rules require broadcast tv stations to maintain a file available for public inspection. This public file should be available for public inspection at the station's main studio during regular business hours. The purpose of the public file is to provide viewers with information vital to their role as monitors of the station's compliance with the guidelines for serving their local community's interests set in the FCC license agreement. The items that should be found in the public file include:

• The License - This includes documentation of license modifications, technical parameters for the station, and any FCC-imposed special requirements for the station.
• Citizen Agreements - Copies of any written agreements that are currently in effect between the station and local viewers must be kept in the file.
• Contour Maps - Any service contour maps submitted with applications filed by the station to the FCC indicating the station's service contour (this is the geographic area which the station is licensed to serve).
• FCC Investigation Materials - Material related to any FCC investigation or complaint regarding violation of the Communications Act.
• Ownership Reports - Includes the names of the owners, their ownership interests, station related contracts required to be filed with the FCC, and indication of any interest held by the station in another broadcast station.
• Political File - A file containing records of requests for broadcast time made by or for candidates for public office. Also included must be information about the station's response to such requests, charges for broadcast time, schedules of time purchased, lists of times during which spots aired, the rates charged, the classes of time purchased, and any free time granted to candidates.
• Letters and Email from the Public - Records of written comments and suggestions submitted by the public regarding the station's operation must be kept in the file by commercial stations for three years.
• Issues/Programs List - Every three months, all stations must prepare and place in their file a list of programs that have provided their most significant treatment of community issues during the preceding three months. The list must briefly describe both the issue and the programming where the issue was discussed. The stations must keep these lists for the entire license term.
• Children's Television Programming Reports - These reports must be retained by commercial stations identifying the educational and informational programming provided for children. These reports must be prepared and inserted into the public file during each calendar quarter.
• List of Donors - Noncommercial stations must keep documentation of any donations supporting programming for two years after the program airs.

Complaints regarding the failure of a station to keep a complete public inspection file and provide it for viewing during regular business hours should be sent to:

For more information, visit www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/public_and_broadcasting.html