[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 98 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25183-25184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12588]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 1 and 73
[MM Docket No. 96-16, FCC 96-198]
Revision of Broadcast EEO Policies
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; dismissal of
petition for reconsideration.
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SUMMARY: In Streamlining Broadcast EEO Rules and Policies, FCC 96-198,
released April 26, 1996 (Streamlining), the Commission dismisses a
Petition for Reconsideration, grants a Petition for Clarification in
part and denies it in part, and grants a motion for extension of time
concerning the Commission's Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making,
11 FCC Rcd 5154 (1996), MM Docket No. 96-16, 61 FR 9964 (March 12,
1996) (NPRM). The Commission finds that the public interest favors
grant of the motion for extension of time.
DATES: Initial comments due July 1, 1996; reply comments due July 31,
1996.
ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission,
Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hope G. Cooper, Mass Media Bureau,
Enforcement Division. (202) 418-1450.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of Streamlining, FCC 96-
198, adopted and released April 26, 1996.
The complete text of Streamlining is available for inspection and
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room
239), 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC, and also may be purchased
from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription
Services,
[[Page 25184]]
Inc., at (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington, DC
20037.
Synopsis of Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making
The Commission responds to two pleadings, a Petition for
Reconsideration and Clarification, and a Motion for Extension of Time,
filed by twenty organizations (including the Minority Media and
Telecommunications Council), concerning the Commission's Order and
Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 11 FCC Rcd 5154 (1996), MM Docket No.
96-16, 61 FR 9964 (March 12, 1996). In the Petition for Reconsideration
and Clarification, among other things, Petitioners argue that, because
the NPRM has the effect of rejecting proposals previously submitted to
the Commission, the NPRM is a final action against which petitions for
reconsideration may be filed pursuant to Section 1.429 of the
Commission's Rules. They also argue that the Commission should amend
the NPRM to include various proposals set forth in the Petition, as
well as revise language in the NPRM to clarify that it is soliciting
comment in support of increased, as well as reduced, EEO requirements.
In the Motion for Extension of Time, Petitioners request that the
Commission extend the date for submission of comments in response to
the NPRM to two months following the issuance of an order reconsidering
and/or clarifying the NPRM. They contend that without such an order
they would be unable to develop thorough and meaningful comments to the
NPRM. In addition, Petitioners assert that their present resources are
severely limited by, among other things, their involvement in
proceedings concerning the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
2. The Commission rejects Petitioners' argument that the NPRM is a
final action, finding that the NPRM did not implement any rule or
reject any proposals presently pending before the Commission, and,
accordingly, dismisses the Petition for Reconsideration. See 47 CFR
1.429. The Commission grants the Petition for Clarification in part and
otherwise denies it. The Commission states that ``[t]he proposals in
the NPRM sought to further the objectives of our EEO Rule and policies
while minimizing undue regulatory burdens on broadcasters. We encourage
Petitioners to submit with their comments any alternatives to the
proposals that further these goals.'' Finally, the Commission finds
that the public interest favors grant of the motion for extension of
time, and, therefore, the Commission extends the comment and reply
comment dates to July 1, 1996, and July 31, 1996, respectively.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-12588 Filed 5-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
