A television station found a novel way to adhere to FCC "public interest" regulations by claiming that airing certain episodes of Star Trek and some other re-runs are "matters of importance" to their local community. Find out how Star Trek is informing the citizens of Wilmington, Delaware below.

TV Station: Star Trek addresses "matters of importance"

A television station (KJWP) that recently moved from Wyoming to Wilmington, Delaware is getting creative in the way they are adhering to FCC regulations, which require all stations using the public airwaves to serve the public interest and to submit a quarterly "Issues/Program List" that identifies how their programming is meeting "matters of importance" to the local community. Typically stations offer news and other community affairs programming, but KJWP does not currently have any news shows. so their Q1 2014 "issues/program list" submitted to the FCC has raised some eyebrows. Just see for yourself…

KJWP Issues/Programs List

First Quarter 2014 KJWP, Wilmington, Delaware, has determined that the following issues are matters of importance to its community of license: 1) International conflicts/civil wars and related arming of combatant parties

2) Prejudice and race relations

3) The place of technology vs. man in society

4) The importance of the rule of law vs. the rule of persons These issues were addressed in the following programs aired on KJWP. While they were presented in the guise of a fictional show, each program made important points about the issue

presented, provided compelling illustrations of the points made, and offered an avenue for further discussion. Program: Star Trek: “The Omega Glory”

Date: March 1, 2014

Time: 9:00 p.m.

Duration: 60 minutes

Issue: International conflict/civil wars/arms

Description: The Enterprise investigates the disappearance of another starship and discovers a planet where the inhabitants are immortal and engaged in a strange parallel of Earth’s Cold War period. Program: Star Trek: “A Private Little War”

Date: February 1, 2014

Time: 9:00 p.m.

Duration: 60 minutes

Issue: International conflict/civil wars/arms

Description: Kirk becomes involved in an arms race when the Klingons equip a native people with superior weapons. Program: Star Trek: “The Ultimate Computer”

Date: March 15, 2014

Time: 9:00 p.m.

Duration: 60 minutes

Issue: Place of technology vs. man

Description: Starfleet uses the Enterprise to test a new super-sophisticated computer, but it soon develops a mind of its own

The document, which can be read at fcc.gov, goes on to detail how episodes of Wagon Train and Rawhide are also informing the community.

While this may seem laughable, it may actually be legal. According to an analysis of history of the "Public Interest Standard" from the University of Texas, following industry deregulation in the 80’s and 90’s most of the requirements were gutted. While most stations have continued to offer local news or public affairs programming, there appears to be no legal obligation (or at least nothing that is strictly enforced). So this Wilmington channel is just seizing upon ambiguities in the law.

Learning with Star Trek

According to KJWP, these clips from Star Trek’s "A Private Little War" and "The Omega Glory" will teach you all you need to know about "International conflict/civil wars/arms."

And this clip from "The Ultimate Computer" informs you about the "place of technology vs. man."

Maybe they have a point.