[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