*Pages 1--2 from  Microsoft Word - 13578.doc*
 Federal  Communications  Commission  DA  01-  2918 
 Before  the  Federal  Communications  Commission 
 Washington,  D.  C.  20554 


 In  the  Matter  of 
 Cross-  Ownership  of  Broadcast  Stations 
 and  Newspapers 


 Newspaper/  Radio  Cross-  Ownership 
 Waiver  Policy 


 )  ) 
 )  ) 
 )  ) 
 ) 


 MM  Docket  No.  01-  235 
 MM  Docket  No.  96-  197 


 ORDER 
 Adopted:  December  14,  2001  Released:  December  14,  2001 
 By  the  Chief,  Mass  Media  Bureau: 
 1.  On  December  12,  2001,  pursuant  to  section  1.46  of  the  Commission’s  Rules,  1  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.  2  The  petitioners  claim  that  granting  their  requested  extension  will 
 not  prejudice  this  proceeding,  and  suggest  that  denying  it  could  disadvantage  them  in  particular.  3  For 
 planning  purposes,  petitioners  ask  the  Commission  to  rule  on  their  request  by  December  18,  2001.  4 


 2.  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.  5 


 3.  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 


 1  47  C.  F.  R.  §  1.  46. 
 2  Request  at  1-  2. 
 3  Id.  at  2-  3. 
 4  Id.  at  3. 
 5  Opposition  at  1-  3. 
1
 Federal  Communications  Commission  DA  01-  2918 
 2 
 issues  raised  in  this  proceeding. 
 4.  Accordingly,  IT  IS  ORDERED  that  petitioners’  Request  for  Extension  of  Time  to  File 
 Reply  Comments  is  GRANTED. 


 5.  IT  IS  FURTHER  ORDERED  that  the  reply  comment  deadline  in  this  proceeding  is 
 EXTENDED  to  February  15,  2002. 


 FEDERAL  COMMUNICATIONS  COMMISSION 


 Roy  J.  Stewart 
 Chief,  Mass  Media  Bureau 
2