Fla. Stat. § 1001.26
Public broadcasting program system
Redline — January 1, 2011 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2023
As of January 1, 2011
(1) There is created a public broadcasting program system for the state. The department shall administer this program system pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. This program system must complement and share resources with the instructional programming service of the Department of Education and educational UHF, VHF, ITFS, and FM stations in the state. The program system must include: (a) Support for existing Corporation for Public Broadcasting qualified program system educational radio and television stations and new stations meeting Corporation for Public Broadcasting qualifications and providing a first service to an audience that does not currently receive a broadcast signal or providing a significant new program service as defined by rule by the State Board of Education. (b) Maintenance of quality broadcast capability for educational stations that are part of the program system. (c) Interconnection of all educational stations that are part of the program system for simultaneous broadcast and of such stations with all universities and other institutions as necessary for sharing of resources and delivery of programming. (d) Establishment and maintenance of a capability for statewide program distribution with facilities and staff, provided such facilities and staff complement and strengthen existing or future educational television and radio stations in accordance with paragraph (a) and s. 1001.25(2)(c). (e) Provision of both statewide programming funds and station programming support for educational television and educational radio to meet statewide priorities. Priorities for station programming need not be the same as priorities for programming to be used statewide. Station programming may include, but shall not be limited to, citizens’ participation programs, music and fine arts programs, coverage of public hearings and governmental meetings, equal air time for political candidates, and other public interest programming.
(1) There is created a public broadcasting program system for the state. The department shall provide funds, as specifically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, to educational television and radio stations qualified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting or public colleges and universities that are part of the public broadcasting program system. The program system must include: (a) Support for existing Corporation for Public Broadcasting qualified program system educational television stations. (b) Maintenance of quality broadcast capability for educational stations that are part of the program system. (c) Interconnection of all educational stations that are part of the program system for simultaneous broadcast and of such stations with all universities and other institutions as necessary for sharing of resources and delivery of programming. (d) Establishment and maintenance of a capability for statewide program distribution with facilities and staff, provided such facilities and staff complement and strengthen existing educational television stations. (e) Provision of both statewide programming funds and station programming support for educational television to meet statewide priorities. Priorities for station programming need not be the same as priorities for programming to be used statewide. Station programming may include, but shall not be limited to, citizens’ participation programs, music and fine arts programs, coverage of public hearings and governmental meetings, equal air time for political candidates, and other public interest programming.
(2) The Department of Education may employ personnel, acquire equipment and facilities, and perform all duties necessary for carrying out the purposes and objectives of this section.
(b) The department shall provide through educational television and other electronic media a means of extending educational services to all the state system of public education. The department shall recommend to the State Board of Education rules necessary to provide such services.
(c) The department is authorized to provide equipment, funds, and other services to extend and update both the existing and the proposed educational television and radio systems of tax-supported and nonprofit, corporate-owned facilities. All stations funded must be qualified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. New stations eligible for funding shall provide a first service to an audience that is not currently receiving a broadcast signal or provide a significant new program service as defined by State Board of Education rules. Funds appropriated to the department for educational television and funds appropriated to the department for educational radio may be used by the department for either educational television or educational radio, or for both.
(3) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the proper enforcement and carrying out of these provisions.
(3)(a) The facilities, plant, or personnel of an educational television station that is supported in whole or in part by state funds may not be used directly or indirectly for the promotion, advertisement, or advancement of a political candidate for a municipal, county, legislative, congressional, or state office. However, fair, open, and free discussion between political candidates for municipal, county, legislative, congressional, or state office may be permitted in order to help materially reduce the excessive cost of campaigns and to ensure that the state’s citizens are fully informed about issues and candidates in campaigns. This paragraph applies to the advocacy for, or opposition to, a specific existing or proposed program of governmental action, which includes, but is not limited to, constitutional amendments, tax referenda, and bond issues. This paragraph shall be implemented in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.
(b) A violation of a prohibition contained in this subsection is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
Official source: Online Sunshine (Florida Legislature). Reproduced from public-domain Florida statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.