As Wisconsin braced for tornadoes, Republicans text 'Wisconsin voter alert' complete with emergency

[riversedge]

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel




As Wisconsin braced for tornadoes, Republicans text 'Wisconsin voter alert' complete with emergency tones

Molly Beck Published 6:58 p.m. CT March 31, 2023


MADISON –..................................

The text message included a video that used alert tones and a scratchy radio voice found on official emergency alerts aired on television and radio. The screen read, "*** Emergency Alert System ***" and "Wisconsin Voter Alert" on the backdrop of differently colored bars that sometimes appears on screen when TV programming is interrupted. After three beeps, a voice says, "This is a State of Wisconsin voter alert. Attention citizens: our Second Amendment rights are under attack by Judge Janet Protasiewicz."


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The video would likely violate federal law if broadcasted on television, according to recent Federal Communications Commission enforcement actions. What was less clear late Friday is whether it’s allowed to be transmitted via text message.

According to the FCC rules, people and groups are barred from using emergency alert system codes or signals in "advertisements, promotional announcements, or other programming," if the sounds are being used not in connection with an actual emergency, an emergency system test, or a public service announcement authorized to use such sounds.

The use of sounds intended to "mimic" "or are substantially similar" to the alert sounds so that an average listener could reasonably mistake the sounds for an actual emergency alert are also prohibited, according to the FCC.................................

Read more: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/31/republicans-text-wisconsin-voter-alert-election-message/70070238007/

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Southern WI was under a tornado Watch at this time. damn the Wisconsin GOP. NOTHING IS TOO LOW FOR THEM.

Link to tweet

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A video advertisement from the Republican Party of Wisconsin and authorized by the campaign of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Dan Kelly uses emergency alert sounds.

Link to tweet

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Link to tweet

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[AZLD4Candidate]

1. The Republican barrel has absolutely no bottom.

[Roy Rolling]

2. Morons All

“It’s a fine line between clever and stupid”—Michael McKean.

[Martin Eden]

3. Beyond Deplorable

How low will they go? They're continually digging that pit to Hell.

[COL Mustard]

5. I think they opened an escrow route.

That would explain a lot of the MAGA goons and their groups.

[COL Mustard]

4. I see that her opponent,David Kelly....

Is a graduate of Regent University Law School. To me, that fact alone is disqualifying.

[mwb970]

6. Disgusting filth. republicans are horrible.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. The book needs to be thrown

Misuse of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Sound

Section 11.45(a) of the Commission’s rules provides that, “[n]o person may transmit or cause to transmit the EAS codes or Attention Signal, or a recording or simulation thereof, in any circumstance other than in an actual National, State or Local Area emergency or authorized test of the EAS, or as specified in [Sections] 10.520(d), 11.46, and 11.61 of this chapter.”

Section 11.46 allows EAS participants to use the EAS Attention Signal and a simulation of the EAS codes as provided by FEMA in PSAs provided by federal, state and local government entities, or non-governmental organizations, in certain specified types of public service announcements to raise public awareness about emergency alerting. Section 11.45(b) requires an EAS Participant to notify the FCC when it has transmitted a false EAS Tone, within 24 hours of discovering such a transmission. Section 10.520(d) prohibits any person from transmitting the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) common audio attention signal, or a recording or simulation thereof, in any circumstance other than in an actual National, State or Local Area emergency or authorized test, or in the context of a PSA provided by federal, state, local, tribal and territorial entities, or non-governmental organizations in coordination with those entities, to raise public awareness about emergency alerting.

Thus, if advertisements, promotional announcements, or other programming includes the EAS codes or EAS or WEA Attention Signals (or simulations thereof) not in connection with an actual emergency, authorized EAS or WEA test, or authorized PSA, they are prohibited. A “simulation” of the EAS codes or EAS or WEA Attention Signals includes not only recordings of actual EAS codes or EAS or WEA Attention Signals, but also sounds that mimic or are substantially similar to them, such that an average listener could reasonably mistake the sounds for an actual EAS code or EAS or WEA Attention Signals. In addition, such false use of the EAS codes or EAS or WEA Attention Signals may be considered a “false distress signal,” which is prohibited under Section 325(a) of the Act.

https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/areas/misuse-eas-sound

[Mr.Bill]

16. Does it say anywhere what the penalty is

for doing this? Or do they just tell them not to do it again?

[BumRushDaShow]

17. I'd have to probably dig through the CFR cites but I did find this similar case

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-20k-fine-against-beasley-apparent-eas-violation

FCC Proposes $20K Fine Against Beasley for Apparent EAS Violation

Full Title: In the Matter of Beasley Media Group Licenses, LLC, Licensee of KDWN(AM), Las Vegas, Nevada
Document Type(s): NAL
Bureau(s): Enforcement

Description:
FCC Enforcement Bureau proposes a $20K fine against Beasley Media for apparently transmitting an EAS tone during the "Doug Basham Radio Show" in the absence of a legitimate emergency, authorized test of the EAS, or a PSA.

DA/FCC #: DA-21-1353
File #: EB-IHD-20-00031587
FCC Record Citation: 36 FCC Rcd 17064 (21)

FCC Record: DA-21-1353A1_Rcd.pdf

So I'm guessing that $20K is probably a "typical" fine for that type of false use of an EAS (or mimic signal) during a non-emergency.

[Mr.Bill]

18. Thank you. That's good to hear.

I figured you could come up with the answer easier than I could, since you had already researched the subject.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. You're welcome

I was curious about the EAS use anyway since last weekend here in Philly, the city actually used it to notify people about a chemical spill that leached into the Delaware River near where the intakes for one of the water treatment plants are.

I don't recall the city ever using EAS for anything - even when they probably should have for all kinds of emergencies in the past. The main entity using the EAS is the NWS for certain severe weather events (tornado warnings, snow squall warnings, etc).

[paleotn]

8. They're lower than filth. Beneath contempt.

[TheBlackAdder]

9. If you click on the second tweet above, it shows a GOP operative reply with "LMAO. Cry harder"

.

Link to tweet

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[3825-87867]

10. And this guy wants to become a Supreme Court Justice?

And flaunts the law? Imagine his rulings!

[2naSalit]

11. Report them!

[dalton99a]

12. Depraved assholes

[ificandream]

13. Their desperation is evident.

They'll lie, cheat and steal to win this election.

[czarjak]

14. Dan Kelly sure looks like non-racist nice guy though?

[Martin68]

15. I have never liked conservatives and their philosophies very much, but the strangest thing about

Trumpism is how it has exposed the Republicans as a party of racists, greed and envy-driven money grubbers, and shameless crooks and fraudsters - not conservative in any way shape or form.

[sakabatou]

20. Politicizing a fucking tornado?!