[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 8, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 828-829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-372]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MM Docket No. 01-235 and 96-197; DA 01-2918]
RIN 4207


Cross-Ownership of Broadcast Stations and Newspapers

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; extension of reply comment.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the pleading cycle in an ongoing 
regulatory proceeding. The Commission takes this action at the request 
of a participant in the proceeding, and to ensure that the public has 
sufficient time to prepare comprehensive filings to help the Commission 
resolve the complex and significant public policy issues raised in the 
proceeding.

DATES: Reply comments are due February 15, 2002.

[[Page 829]]


ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric J. Bash, Mass Media Bureau, 
Policy and Rules Division, (202) 418-2130 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. This is a summary of the Order in MM Docket No. 01-235; DA 01-
2918, adopted December, 14, 2001, and released December 14, 2001. The 
complete text of this Order is available for inspection and copying 
during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room CY-A257, 
445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC and may also be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 
12th Street SW, Room CY-B-402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 
863-2893, facsimile (202) 863-2898, or via e-mail [email protected].
    2. On December 12, 2001, the AFL-CIO, Center for Digital Democracy, 
Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy, Consumer Federation of 
America, Consumers Union, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Media 
Alliance, National Organization for Women, and Office of Communication 
of United Church of Christ (hereafter, ``petitioners'') filed a 
``Request for Extension of Time to File Reply Comments'' in this 
proceeding. The current deadline to file reply comments is January 7, 
2002; petitioners request the Commission to extend the deadline until 
February 15, 2002. Among other things, petitioners cite the volume and 
complexity of the record in this proceeding, and the pendency of 
various other proceedings in which they intend to participate, as 
reasons for their request. The petitioners claim that granting their 
requested extension will not prejudice this proceeding, and suggest 
that denying it could disadvantage them in particular.
    3. On December 14, 2001, the Newspaper Association of America 
(hereafter, ``NAA'') filed an ``Opposition to Request for Extension of 
Time.'' NAA contends that review of the newspaper/broadcast cross-
ownership rule is long overdue, and that the petitioners' requested 
extension is excessive and will unnecessarily delay this proceeding.
    4. While we appreciate NAA's concerns, we believe that the public 
interest would be best served by granting petitioners' request. To 
date, nearly 1500 commenters have filed in this proceeding. Some of 
these comments are extensive, with detailed factual allegations, legal 
arguments, policy proposals, and supporting studies. NAA has not 
explained how or why a delay of approximately one month would harm its 
members. Given these circumstances, we believe that additional time 
would assist petitioners and other members of the public alike in 
preparing comprehensive responses, which in turn will help the 
Commission in its decision-making and resolving the complex and 
significant public policy issues raised in this proceeding.
    5. Accordingly, the petitioners' Request for Extension of Time to 
File Reply Comments is granted.
    6. The reply comment deadline in this proceeding is extended to 
February 15, 2002.

Federal Communications Commission.
William, F. Caton,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-372 Filed 1-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P