Which regulatory body requires stations to demonstrate they operate in the public interest?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and regulating communications within the United States, including radio and television broadcasting. The FCC mandates that broadcast stations operate in the public interest as part of their licensing requirements. This ensures that broadcasters serve the needs of the public by providing programming that is informative, educational, and conducive to the well-being of the community they serve.

The public interest standard is a fundamental principle that guides the actions of the FCC, and stations must demonstrate compliance through various means, including their programming choices and community outreach efforts. This requirement reflects the FCC's role in ensuring that the airwaves are used responsibly and to benefit the populace as a whole.

In contrast, the other options listed, such as the Federal Trade Commission and the National Advertising Division, focus more on trade practices and advertisement standards rather than directly on the operations of broadcast stations in terms of public interest. The Broadcast Standards Advisory Board, while related to broadcasting, does not have regulatory power in the same capacity as the FCC. Therefore, the FCC is the correct answer because it uniquely holds the authority to ensure that broadcasting serves the public interest.