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As a non-commercial educational (NCE) station licensed by the FCC, WMJS falls under the same underwriting requirements as National Public Radio stations and PBS TV stations. The Congress and FCC require that NCE stations remain free of "paid advertising". At the same time, both realize that these stations would not exist without funding support from individuals and businesses. Accordingly, the government has created a special type of "Image Advertising" tailored to the special circumstances of NCE broadcasters. This is called "enhanced underwriting". NCE stations may, under the laws and FCC rules, gratefully acknowledge underwriting donations on the air, and may set a schedule defining the number of "thank you" acknowledgements per amount donated. All donations are 100% tax deductible! WMJS broadcasts one underwriting announcement for approximately each $1.67 donated according to the monthly schedule below: - $50 - One spot per day, every day, for one calendar month.
- $100 - Two spots per day, every day, for one calendar month.
- $150 - Three spots per day, every day, for one calendar month.
- Etc.
The FCC has established specific rules pertaining to the wording of underwriting announcements: - In accordance with FCC rules, an underwriting announcement may identify the name of the donor company, the type of business, service, or products carried (including brand names), a "value neutral" company slogan or "catch phrase" and contact information (telephone number, address, or web site).
- An underwriting announcement may NOT include a "call to action", any price information, or convey a sense of urgency.
The typical underwriting announcement may sound something like this: "Programming on WMJS is made possible, in part, by a donation from Prince Frederick Buggy Whips, providing Teamsters' Delight products at 6790 Main Street since 1842. Further information may be found at www.horsewagon.com or by calling 410.555.5555." Each underwriting donation to WMJS will be acknowledged throughout an entire month. You may prepay as many months in advance as you wish. All donations and information for the announcements need to be received a week prior to the beginning of the desired air dates to give our volunteer staff time to record and schedule your acknowledgements. If you would like to make a donation to WMJS, a printable version* of our donation form is available here. For more information on underwriting, please Contact us. Thank you for your interest in supporting the return of community radio to Calvert County! * Requires Adobe Reader.
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