[ctdonath2]

What’s the grounds for this “shut down” claim?

There’s a coordinated voluntary compliance with an organizational process for testing getting a warning message out - that’s fine, and a reasonable activity for the FCC to coordinate (hey, if something big enough to warrant contacting everyone is needed, nice to have the protocol in place).

There is NOTHING indicating a “shut down”. There is no master switch, nothing is being shut off. Pure hysteria.

[montyspython]

But but but its clearly a conspiracy to overthrow the Constitution!

[Yosemitest]

Come on, man. Get a clue.

Emergency Alert System

The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) providers, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to provide the communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as AMBER alerts and weather information targeted to specific areas.

The first Nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be carried out on November 9, 2011. For more information about the test or access to the participant reporting system, please click here.