[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 121 (Friday, June 23, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32645-32646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15394]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 73
[MM Docket Nos. 91-221 and 87-8; DA 95-1355]
Broadcast Services; TV Ownership
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Commission granted an additional eleven-day extension of
time to file reply comments in this proceeding in response to a request
filed by The Black Citizens for a Fair Media, Center for Media
Education, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Communications Task Force,
Hispanic Bar Association, League of United Latin American Citizens,
National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Office of Communications of
the United Church of Christ, Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force,
Telecommunications Research Action Center, Wider Opportunities for
Women, and the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press
(Petitioners). The Commission had already granted an extension of the
original deadline for filing comments in this proceeding (April 17,
1995) to May 17, 1995, and had extended the original deadline for
filing reply comments (May 17, 1995) to June 19, 1995. Petitioners
requested an additional 60-day extension of time to file reply
comments. The Commission determined that a brief extension was
warranted to facilitate the development of a full and complete record,
but declined to grant the full 60-day extension requested by
Petitioners.
DATES: Reply comments are now due on June 30, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kim Matthews (202) 739-0774 or Robert Kieschnick (202) 739-0764, Mass
Media Bureau.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In the matter of Review of the Commission's Regulations
Governing Television Broadcasting, MM Docket No. 91-221; Television
Satellite Stations Review of Policies and Rules, MM Docket No. 87-8.
Order Granting Extension of Time for Filing Reply Comments
Adopted: June 15, 1995.
Released: June 15, 1995.
By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:
1. On December 15, 1994, the Commission adopted a Further Notice of
Proposed Rule Making regarding ownership of television stations.
Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket Nos. 91-221 and 87-
8, FCC 94-322 (Jan. 17, 1995) (Notice) 60 FR 6490, February 2, 1995.
Comments on the Notice were initially due on April 17, 1995, and reply
comments were initially due on May 17, 1995. By Order released April 7,
1995 60 FR 19566, April 19, 1995, the time for filing comments in this
proceeding was extended to May 17, 1995, and the time for filing reply
comments was extended to June 19, 1995.
2. On June 12, 1995, The Black Citizens for a Fair Media, Center
for Media Education, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Communications
Task Force, Hispanic Bar Association, League of United Latin American
Citizens, National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Office of
Communications of the United Church of Christ, Philadelphia Lesbian and
Gay Task Force, Telecommunications Research Action Center, Wider
Opportunities for Women, and the Women's Institute for Freedom of the
Press (Petitioners), filed a joint request for an additional 60-day
extension of time to file reply comments in this proceeding.
Petitioners argue primarily that additional time is needed to review
and prepare a reply to comments filed in response to the Commission's
Notice. Petitioners also argue that Congress is presently considering
legislation that would ``effectively moot'' this proceeding and
therefore obviate the need to prepare and file reply comments.
3. As set forth in Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47
C.F.R. Sec. 1.46, it is our policy that extensions of time for filing
comments in rulemaking proceedings shall not be routinely granted.
Moreover, the initial comment period in this proceeding was longer than
usual, and one 30-day extension of time has already been granted.
However, in view of the circumstances outlined by Petitioners, we
believe an additional 11-day extension of the reply comment deadline is
warranted in order to facilitate the development of a full and complete
record. We decline to grant a longer extension at this point in time
based on speculation as to events that may or may not affect this
proceeding.
4. Accordingly, It is Ordered that the Request for Extension of
Time filed in MM Docket Nos. 91-221 and 87-8 by The Black Citizens for
a Fair Media, Center for Media Education, Chinese for Affirmative
Action, Communications Task Force, Hispanic Bar Association, League of
United Latin American Citizens, National Conference of Puerto Rican
women, Office of Communications of the United Church of Christ,
Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force, Telecommunications Research
Action Center, Wider Opportunities for Women, and the Women's Institute
for Freedom of the Press is Granted to the extent detailed above and is
otherwise Denied.
5. It is Further Ordered that the time for filing reply comments in
the above-captioned proceeding is Extended to June 30, 1995.
6. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections
4(i) and 303(r) of the communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and [[Page 32646]] 303(r), and Sections 0.204(b), 0.283,
and 1.45 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 0.204(b), 0.283, and 1.45.
Federal Communications Commission.
Roy J. Stewart,
Chief, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 95-15394 Filed 6-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M
