Legal Services
SCBA retains both local and Washington counsel to assist members with legal issues at no charge. For questions regarding libel, FOI, courtroom access, advertising regulations, FCC compliance, EEO rules, etc., contact SCBA at 803-732-1186 or scba@scba.net. SC Counsel has prepared a comprehensive Legal Guide available to members at no charge.
Engineering Services
Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP)
SCBA’s Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program offers stations protection from routine FCC inspection for a period of three years. This program was established in an effort to promote more uniform practices and procedures among broadcasters, ABIP inspectors, and the FCC.
Sales Training
Sales webinars on a variety of topics are offered to member stations throughout the year. These webinars are made available at no charge due to the Public Education Program (PEP) which is supported by donated airtime from stations.
Lobbying
SCBA takes a proactive position in all matters concerning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), federal and state legislative issues, and local affairs. Some of the activities of SCBA include:
- Each February, SCBA takes a delegation of broadcasters to Washington, DC to visit with each of our state’s Members of Congress to express views and concerns of our association. Prior to these visits, SCBA leaders attend the National Association of Broadcasters Annual Leadership Conference to review legislation on Capitol Hill that pertains to the broadcast industry.
- An annual Legislative Breakfast is held in Columbia bringing broadcasters and the state’s legislators together in an informal setting for discussion of issues and for an expression of thanks to our supporters. The next breakfast will be held 8-10 am on April 5, 2023, on the State House grounds.
- SCBA retains the services of Riley Pope & Laney who monitor the state legislature for issues of interest to broadcasters.
News Services
News Training - SCBA offers member stations high-caliber news training webinars from a variety of sources throughout the year.
ID Cards – SCBA produces identification cards that are officially recognized by state law enforcement agencies for broadcast media personnel from member stations. To order ID cards, send a request form along with payment and photos to paula@scba.net.
Legislative Workshop -SCBA partners with the SC Press Association to present a legislative workshop each year for statehouse reporters, assignment editors, and other news staff. This workshop previews the upcoming budget and other pertinent issues for the coming year. The next event will be held in January 2024. Check our website for details as they are made available.
Employment Services
SCBA Job Bank is a free listing of Employment Opportunities available at participating South Carolina Broadcasters Association member stations and companies. We also list resumes from applicants looking for employment. Each listing will be posted for approximately 90 days or until we are instructed to remove it by the SCBA member or applicant. Please notify the SCBA of any changes or updates to these listings. Job listings and applicant resumes can be emailed to paula@scba.net, faxed to 803-732-4085, or mailed to South Carolina Broadcasters Association Job Bank, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 201, Columbia, South Carolina 29204. All SCBA Job Bank postings are for Equal Opportunity Employers.
Collegiate Job Fair: Each year, SCBA hosts a Job Fair for students majoring in broadcast journalism or communications at colleges and universities around the state. Students have the opportunity to meet with South Carolina Radio and TV broadcast professionals to learn about careers available in the broadcast industry. The next Job Fair will be held on April 12, 2023, at the National Guard Armory in Columbia.
Broadcast Education
The SCBA Educational Foundation, established in 1982, provides grants, scholarships, and endowments for colleges, technical colleges, and universities in the state that offer broadcast training. The Foundation established an endowment in 2004 with a one-million-dollar target and in 2008 reached that goal. The scholarship program will continue in perpetuity. This year the Foundation awarded $57,500 in scholarships to the following South Carolina schools:
- Bob Jones University
- Claflin University
- Clemson University
- Francis Marion University
- Furman University
- North Greenville University
- Tri-County Technical College
- Trident Technical College
- University of South Carolina
- Winthrop University
Awards
STAR “State Television and Radio” Awards - recognizing the exceptional accomplishments of the state’s stations and their broadcast professionals. The 2023 STAR Awards will be held on August 12, 2023, at the Hilton Columbia Center.
SCBA Awards of Distinction: South Carolina is served by many talented and dedicated broadcasters and by individuals in related fields who work tirelessly to support the industry. To recognize the professionals who have set the bar for excellence in South Carolina, SCBA created three awards to honor those distinguished leaders—Hall of Fame, Honorary Life Membership Award, and the Masters Award. The 2023 Awards of Distinction Dinner was held on January 27, 2023, at the USC Alumni Center.
2023 Awards of Distinction Recipients:
Masters Award - Rick Henry - WIS-TV, Steven Stone - OTS Media, and Darci Strickland - WLTX-TV
Honorary Life Membership Award 0 Don Jackson - WYFF 4