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Airchecks and Recordings

Let's say you said something that really pissed someone off and they are demanding you give them a recording of the comments. Do you?

If it were me, no. As a matter of fact, I would deny even having a recording - whether I did or not. You mean LIE about that? Yep. You can't get into any legal trouble by lying unless you are in a court of law or giving a sworn deposition or involved in some other legal situation where you are under oath.

The fact is, you don't have to release any recordings of your Radio show to anyone unless you have been directed to do so by a court of law. You don't even have to admit they exist unless you are under a court order to produce them or under oath to testify in a deposition or in court.

So, in any other situation, aside from a courtroom, I would not release anything. If you have said something that is slanderous, you don't want to do anything to hurt yourself before consulting with a lawyer. Handing over evidence that will prove your guilt is a VERY BAD THING. Besides, whoever or whatever you pissed off, should have time to cool down. Handing over the inflammatory words you allegedly uttered is not going to help in that respect.

If someone is so incensed with you that they are thinking of suing, then let them either go through the proper legal channels to obtain whatever recording they believe you might have or let them go door-to-door trying to find someone who might have recorded it. Under no circumstances should you aid and abet them!

Can the Federal Communications Commission demand you produce airchecks or recordings? Yep. Do you have to hand them over? You better. They are a regulatory agency which can create and enforce regulatory law. You don't mess with them.

Keep Up With The Suits

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