[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 250 (Friday, December 27, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68201-68202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32933]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 73 and 76
[Gen Docket No. 83-484; RM 3739; DA No. 96-2159]
Personal Attack and Political Editorial Rules
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of invitation to file updated comments.
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SUMMARY: This Public Notice invites interested parties to file updated
comments in General Docket No. 83-484 concerning the Commission's
proposal to repeal or modify the personal attack and political
editorial rules. Comments were filed in that proceeding in 1983, but no
Report and Order has been issued. The Commission has received petitions
from the Radio-Television News Directors Association (``RTNDA'') and
other parties urging the Commission to repeal the personal attack and
political editorial rules. In addition, on September 17, 1996, RTNDA
filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit a
Petition for a Writ of Mandamus, asking the Court to direct the
Commission to act on a 1987 RTNDA petition seeking repeal of the rules.
In view of the length of time that has passed since conclusion of the
pleading cycle in General Docket No. 83-484, and in light of the
Commission's subsequent decision to end enforcement of the fairness
doctrine as described in the 1987 RTNDA petition, we believe it is
appropriate to update the record in this proceeding by affording
interested parties an opportunity to file additional comments in
General Docket No. 83-484 concerning the Commission's proposal to
repeal the rules.
DATES: Comments are due February 10, 1997, and reply comments are due
March 12, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 2000 M Street, Room 543,
Washington, DC, 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Matthews, Mass Media Bureau, (202)
418-2130.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's
Public Notice, released December 19, 1996, inviting updated comments
regarding the personal attack and political editorial rules. The
complete text of the Public Notice is available for inspection and
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room
239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., and also may be purchased
from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription
Service, (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington,
D.C. 20037.
Synopsis of Public Notice
The Commission has received petitions from the Radio-Television
News Directors Association (``RTNDA'') and other parties urging the
Commission to repeal the personal attack and political editorial rules,
47 CFR Secs. 73.1920, 73.1930. In addition, on September 17, 1996,
RTNDA filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus, asking the Court to direct the
Commission to act on a 1987 RTNDA petition seeking repeal of the rules.
By this Public Notice, interested parties are invited to file updated
comments in the Commission's pending rulemaking proceeding concerning
the above-referenced rules.
By way of background, in 1983 the Commission proposed to repeal or
modify the personal attack and political editorial rules. See Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, Gen. Docket 83-484, RM-3739, 48 FR 28295 (June 21,
1983). The Commission also sought comment on possible repeal of the
rules insofar as they apply to cable systems. Comments were filed in
the proceeding in 1983, but no Report and Order has been issued. On
August 25, 1987, RTNDA and others filed a ``Joint Petition for
Expedited Rulemaking Action and for Clarification of Memorandum Opinion
and Order Ending Enforcement of the Fairness Doctrine'' (``Joint
Petition''), urging the Commission to: (1) Issue a Report and Order in
General Docket 83-484 repealing the personal attack and political
editorial rules; and/or (2) clarify that in light of the decision to
end enforcement of the fairness doctrine, in In re Complaint of
Syracuse Peace Council Against Television Station WTVH, Syracuse, New
York, 2 FCC Rcd. 5043 (1987), recon. denied, 3 FCC 2d 2035 (1988),
aff'd sub nom. Syracuse Peace Council v. FCC, 867 F.2d 654 (D.C. Cir.
1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1019 (1990) (``Syracuse Peace Council''),
the personal attack and political editorial rules will no longer be
applied to broadcast licensees. On January 22, 1990, RTNDA and four
other parties filed another petition, renewing the request that the
Commission repeal the personal attack and political editorial rules.
In view of the length of time that has passed since conclusion of
the pleading cycle in General Docket No. 83-484, and in light of the
Commission's subsequent decision to end enforcement of the fairness
doctrine as described in the 1987 RTNDA petition, we believe it is
appropriate to update the record in this proceeding by affording
interested parties an opportunity to file additional comments in
General Docket No. 83-484 concerning the Commission's proposal to
repeal the rules. Comments must be filed on or before February 10,
1997, and reply comments must be filed by March 12, 1997. To file
formally in this proceeding, participants must file an original and
four copies of all comments, reply comments, and supporting comments.
All comments should reference General Docket No. 83-484 and should be
addressed to: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554. The full text of
[[Page 68202]]
the submissions are available for viewing and copying in the Public
Reference Room, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.
Copies may also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor,
International Transcription Service ((202) 857-3800).
List of Subjects
47 CFR Part 73
Political candidates, Radio broadcasting, Television broadcasting.
47 CFR Part 76
Cable television, Political candidates.
Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 96-32933 Filed 12-23-96; 12:09 pm]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P