Underwriting Message Criteria

The purpose of the underwriting message is to

1. acknowledge a contribution made to WMOT and

2. identify the underwriter.

• Elements of a message may include

  • a contributor’s business name and location or telephone number or Internet address.

  • Additionally, a value-neutral description of a product line or service may be used.

• Elements that may not be used include

  • promotional, qualitative or comparative language,

  • second person references such as you or your, 

  • price descriptions, inducements to buy, sell or lease or any “call to action."  

  • A promotional corporate logo or slogan is not permitted by FCC rules.

WMOT prohibits an “issue” message, i.e., the expression of views with respect to any matter of public importance, or political ads, i.e., any expression of support or opposition for any candidate for political office.   

An underwriting message may not be longer than fifteen seconds. A message usually consists of fifteen to twenty words, not counting the standard preamble.

WMOT reserves the right to maintain editorial control over the format, content, length, and scheduling of underwriting announcements.

• WMOT also reserves the right to reject any announcements which, in our judgment, would violate any FCC policy, fail to serve the public interest, violate station and MTSU policies or adversely affect the reputation or financial condition of the station or Middle Tennessee State University.

Click here to review the regulatory issues.