[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60509-60510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29512]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Notice of Public Information Collection Being Reviewed by the
Federal Communications Commission for Extension Under Delegated
Authority 5 CFR 1320 Authority, Comments Requested.
November 4, 1997.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment
on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control
number. Comments are requested concerning: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information
shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's
burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Persons wishing to comment on this information collection should
submit comments January 9, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Jerry Cowden, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 240-B, 2000 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554, or via
internet to jcowden@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies
of the information collection(s) contact Jerry Cowden at 202-418-0447
or via internet at jcowden@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Approval Number: 3060-0314.
Title: 47 CFR 76.209 Fairness doctrine; personal attacks; political
attacks.
Form No.: N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities.
Number of Respondents: 1,312.
Estimated Time Per Response: 2-3 hours.
Total Annual Burden: We estimate that there are approximately 525
cablecast personal attacks made on an annual basis which would require
cable operators to comply with the notification requirements set forth
in 76.209(b). The average burden for cable operators to comply with
these notification requirements is estimated to be 2 hours per
incident. 525 notifications of cablecast personal attacks x 2
hours=1,050 hours. We estimate that there are approximately 787
cablecast political editorials made on an annual basis which would
require cable operators to comply with the notification requirements
set forth in 76.209(d). The average burden for cable operators to
comply with these notification requirements is estimated to be 3 hours
per cablecast. 787 x 3 hours=2,361 hours. Total estimated annual burden
to respondents=1,050+2,361=3,411 hours.
Needs and Uses: Section 76.209(b) requires that when, during
origination cablecasting, an attack is made upon the honesty,
character, integrity, or like personal qualities of an identified
person or group, the respective cable television system operator shall,
within a reasonable time and in no event later than one week after the
attack, transmit to the person or group attacked (1) notification of
the date, time and
[[Page 60510]]
identification of the cablecast; (2) a script, tape or accurate summary
of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond
to the attack over the licensee's facilities. The provisions of
paragraph (b) of Section 76.209 do not apply to cablecast material
which falls within one or more of the following categories: (1)
Personal attacks on foreign groups or foreign public figures; (2)
personal attacks occurring during uses by legally qualified candidates;
(3) personal attacks made during cablecasts by legally qualified
candidates, their authorized spokespersons or those associated with
them in the campaign, on other such candidates, their spokespersons or
persons associated with the candidates in the campaign; and (4) bona
fide newcasts, news interviews, and on-the-spot coverage of bona fide
news events, including commentary or analysis contained in the
foregoing programs. Additionally, Section 76.209(d) requires that when
a cable television system operator in an editorial endorses or opposes
a legally qualified candidate, the operator shall, within 24 hours of
the editorial, transmit to the other qualified candidate(s) for the
same office or the candidate opposed, notification of the date, time
and channel of the editorial; a script or tape of the editorial; and an
offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the system's
facilities.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-29512 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
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