[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21651]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[MB Docket No. 02-277, and MM Docket Nos. 01-235, 01-317, and 00-244; 
DA 03-2671]


Broadcast Ownership Rules, Cross-Ownership of Broadcast Stations 
and Newspapers, Multiple Ownership of Radio Broadcast Stations in Local 
Markets, and Definition of Radio Markets

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; petitions for reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: This decision grants a motion requesting permission to exceed 
the Commission's page limits for petitions for reconsideration, as well 
as oppositions and replies thereto, in this proceeding. This decision 
provides that such petitions and oppositions may be up to 50 pages 
each, and replies may be up to 20 pages.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Sabourin, 202-418-2330.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Order in MB Docket 
No. 02-277, and MM Docket Nos. 01-235, 01-317, and 00-244, DA 03-2671, 
adopted August 15, 2003, and released August 15, 2003. The complete 
text of this Order is available for inspection and copying during 
normal business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, 
Courtyard Level, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC, and also may be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, 
Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, 
telephone 202-863-2893, facsimile 202-863-2898, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. Alternative formats (computer diskette, large print, 
audio cassette, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities 
by contacting Brian Millin at 202-418-7426, TTY 202-418-7365, or at 
[email protected].

Synopsis of the Order

    1. On July 2, 2003, the Commission released a Report and Order and 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, completing its third biennial review of 
its broadcast ownership rules. (See Report and Order at 68 FR 46286, 
August 5, 2003, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at 68 FR 46359, 
August 5, 2003.) On August 11, 2003, the Diversity and Competition 
Supporters (``Petitioners'') filed a motion requesting permission to 
exceed the page limits for petitions for reconsideration, as well as 
oppositions and replies thereto. See Motion to Extend Page Limits on 
Reconsideration (``Motion''), filed by Diversity and Competition 
Supporters, Aug. 11, 2003. The Commission's rules state that petitions 
for reconsideration and oppositions to petitions for reconsideration of 
Commission actions shall not exceed 25 double-spaced typewritten pages, 
and replies to oppositions shall not exceed 10 double-spaced 
typewritten pages. 47 CFR 1.429 (d), (f) and (g). Petitioners ask that 
we increase the limits for petitions and oppositions to 50 pages for 
each and the limits for replies to 20 pages. They argue that the 
broadcast ownership proceeding contains several interrelated 
proceedings, and they cannot discuss their points ``coherently and 
thoroughly'' within the page limits articulated in the rules. They add 
that the Commission has previously relaxed the page limitations when 
parties seek reconsideration of extraordinarily complex decisions.
    2. We agree with Petitioners that the issues presented in this 
proceeding are both complex and important. The Report and Order was the 
culmination of the most comprehensive review of broadcast ownership 
regulation in the agency's history. We therefore find that the public 
interest would be best served by granting the Petitioners' Motion in 
order to assure a complete record and thorough treatment of all the 
issues on reconsideration. In this proceeding, petitions for 
reconsideration and oppositions to petitions for reconsideration will 
be limited to 50 pages each, and replies to opposition to petitions for 
reconsideration will be limited to 20 pages.
    3. Accordingly, Petitioners' Motion to Extend Page Limits on 
Reconsideration in the above-captioned proceeding is granted.


Federal Communications Commission.
Robert Ratcliffe,
Deputy Chief, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 03-21651 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P