Guidelines
Specifically, underwriting announcements may NOT contain:
Call to action statements which direct the audience (e.g., “bring your car to us,”
“call 974-6167
for more information” or “come see us…”).
Superlative description, qualitative claim or subjective statements about the company,
its products or its services (e.g., “the best builders ever,” “leading,” “leader,”
“leadership,” “a
great partnership,” “fine, great, rich or superb,” “whimsical” or “electrifying”).
Direct or insinuated comparisons with other companies or with other companies’ products
or services (e.g., “when Cadillac just isn’t good enough,” “we’re better than the rest,”
“best, bigger or faster,” “award winning” or “AAA certified”).
Price or value information (e.g., “only $160 down and $160 a month,” “tickets are $10”
or “admission
is free”)
Inducements to buy, sell, rent or lease (e.g., “free trial period” or “on sale”).
Endorsements (e.g., “recommended by four out of five customers” or “used by professional
golfers”)
First or second tense pronouns unless included in an established, non-promotional slogan
(e.g., “I,” “me” or “you”)
Music, jingles or sound effects designated by the underwriter.
Voicing by the underwriter
Language that would lead the underwriting message to be used as forums, advocacy platforms
or statements of belief regarding issues, concerns, lifestyles, political or religious
preferences, etc.
.Underwriting announcements may contain:
12-seconds of copy which will include the beginning statement of “Funding for KRPS
comes from….”
Statements using 3rd person tense
Additional repeat of the underwriter’s name.
Neutral description of products or services offered by the underwriter.
o Origin (e.g., “French wine”).
o Intended use (e.g., “children’s clothing”)
o Form of delivery to consumer or method of preparation:
(e.g., “bottled mineral water”). .
o Product content (e.g., “wool suit” or “fiberglass insulation”).
Factual information about the underwriter, including location, phone number, email
address and
web address.
Well-established slogan or corporate positioning statement that is non-promotional
in nature.
Event dates and locations, as long the underwriter regularly hosts such activities.
Length of time the underwriter has been in business.
Underwriting announcements will:
Be read live by KRPS announcers.
Include the preamble statement, “Funding for KRPS comes from…”
Identify the source of funding (the underwriter name, parent company or subsidiary).
Underwriters
of programming on KRPS not only are legally required to be identified [Section 317
(a)(1) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended], but also deserve credit for their support of
public radio.
KRPS is a public radio station licensed to Pittsburg State University and carries no on-air
advertising.
One of the ways KRPS helps fund its programming and general operations is by seeking
underwriting
support from corporations, foundations and associations. Federal Communications Commission
(FCC)
regulations govern all underwriting announcements by public radio stations and National
Public Radio (NPR).
The regulations require stations and NPR to provide on-air acknowledgement of funders
while stipulating
that these credit announcements are strictly for identification; they cannot
be promotional.
In establishing its on-air credit guidelines, KRPS is sensitive to the expectations of the
public radio audience
and remains faithful to public radio’s mission to provide education, cultural and
informational programs
independent of commercial obligations or influence. However, KRPS reserves the right to
turn down funding
if there is any conflict of interest or possible perception of influence on program content.
KRPS also reserves
the right to refuse contributions if it determines that their acknowledgment on the air
might have an adverse
effect on its mission or on listenership, listener support or other financial
support.
Underwriters must be identified by mention of their legal or recognized name. Additional
information may
be used to further clarify identification but should not promote donors’ companies,
products or services.
KRPS reserves the right to change its policies and practices regarding the acceptability
of underwriters and
underwriting announcements, as required to comply with its interpretation of the
Communications Act,
FCC Rules & Regulations and the policies of Pittsburg State University.
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