FCC probes radio station after revealing sensitive details on ICE operations

• A San Francisco radio station has just days to respond to an FCC inquiry after reportedly broadcasting sensitive details about an undercover ICE operation. The investigation will determine if the station violated its “public interest obligations” under its FCC license.
• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr expressed concerns over the potential risks to ICE agents’ safety following the broadcast.
• Other radio stations are accused of airing live locations of ICE operations, including those in Colorado.

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A San Francisco radio station, KCBS 740 AM, has just days left to respond to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) inquiry regarding its alleged disclosure of sensitive details about an undercover U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation.

FCC Chairman raises concerns

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Donald Trump last month, told Fox News that the station’s actions were “really concerning.”

“We have sent a letter of inquiry, a formal investigation into that matter, and they have just a matter of days left to respond to that inquiry and explain how this could possibly be consistent with their public interest obligations,” Carr said.

Details of the ICE operation

The ICE operation occurred in East San Jose, an area known for violent gang activity.

During the Jan. 26 edition of KCBS Radio Weekend News, the station broadcast detailed information about the undercover agents, including the make, model and color of their unmarked vehicles and their precise locations.

The Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network, an organization dedicated to “protect[ing] immigrant families from deportation threats,” was the first to report on the operation. The station’s host then relayed that information to listeners.

FCC investigates possible violation of agreement

The FCC is now investigating whether KCBS violated its operational agreement. Audacy, the station’s owner, has not commented on the ongoing investigation.

Carr confirmed that the FCC sent a formal letter of inquiry to the station, demanding an explanation.

The investigation will determine whether the station’s actions breached the terms of its FCC license, which includes public interest obligations. Carr suggested that the broadcast may have endangered the lives of ICE agents.

Other radio stations in Colorado also face accusations of broadcasting live locations of ICE operations.