Federal Communications Commission	DA 19-1292

Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of

National Association of Broadcasters, et al. Petition for Reconsideration of Political File Orders 

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MB Docket No. 19-363

ORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE REPLY COMMENTS


Adopted:  December 18, 2019	Released:  December 18, 2019
 
Reply Comment Date:  January 28, 2020 

By the Chief, Media Bureau:

1. On November 29, 2019, the Media Bureau released a Public Notice Media Bureau Seeks Comment on National Association of Broadcasters, et al. Petition for Reconsideration of Political File Orders and Establishes “Permit-but-Disclose” Ex Parte Procedures, Public Notice, DA 19-1224 (MB Nov. 29, 2019).
 seeking comment on a Petition Petition for Reconsideration and Clarification of the National Association of Broadcasters, et al., MB Docket No. 19-363 (filed Nov. 15, 2019) (Petition), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1205833614610/19-363.pdf.
 filed by the National Association of Broadcasters, Hearst Television, Inc., Graham Media Group, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Fox Corporation, Tegna, Inc. and The E.W. Scripps Company (collectively, Petitioners).   The Petition requests reconsideration of the Memorandum Opinion and Order that resolves complaints filed jointly against 11 commercial television broadcast station licensees by the Campaign Legal Center and Sunlight Foundation, alleging that the stations failed to maintain information in their political files as required by 47 U.S.C. §315(e), and clarifies certain disclosure obligations imposed on broadcast licensees and other entities regarding requests for the purchase of broadcast time for non-candidate political advertisements. Complaints Involving the Political Files of WCNC-TV, Inc., licensee of Station WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC, et al., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 2019 WL 5296781 (rel. Oct. 16, 2019).  In addition, Petitioners seek reconsideration of an Order resolving a similar political file complaint against the licensee of WCPO-TV.  Complaints Involving the Political Files of Scripps Broadcasting Holding, LLC, licensee of WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH, Order, 2019 WL 5296782 (rel. Oct. 16, 2019).
  The Public Notice established December 30, 2019 as the initial deadline for filing comments regarding the Petition and January 13, 2020 as the initial deadline for filing reply comments. 
2. On December 6, 2019, the Campaign Legal Center, Sunlight Foundation, Common Cause, the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, and Issue One (collectively, Requestors) filed a motion to extend the reply comment deadline by an additional 15 days to January 28, 2020. Campaign Legal Center et al., Motion for Extension of Time, MB Docket No. 19-363 (filed Dec. 6, 2019) (Motion), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/120649906170/19-12-06%20Final%20%20Mot.%20for%20Extension.pdf.
 
3. In support of the Motion, Requestors assert that new substantive and procedural issues have arisen in the proceeding and that the current comment period, which falls during a major holiday season, does not provide sufficient time to properly address these new issues. Id. at 2.
  Among the reasons for the extension cited in the Motion, Requestors state that their counsel, Georgetown Law’s Institute for Public Representation, recently appointed a new director and that the beginning of the new semester starting on January 13, 2020 will affect the availability of incoming law students to work on this matter. Id. at 2-3. 
  Requestors also note that, because multiple parties make up its coalition, they require additional time to coordinate preparation of comments responsive to the Petition. Id. at 3.

4. As set forth in section 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.46.
 it is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted.  We find, however, that Requestors have shown good cause for the requested extension, and we believe that the public interest will be served by granting a brief, 15-day extension of time to file reply comments.  The deadline for filing comments,        December 30, 2019, remains unchanged.
5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that the Motion for Extension of Time filed by Requestors is GRANTED.
6. IT IS ALSO ORDERED that the date for filing reply comments on the Petition IS EXTENDED to January 28, 2020.  
7. 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), 303(r). 
 and sections 0.204, 0.283 and 1.46 of the Commission’s rules. 47 CFR §§ 0.204, 0.283 & 1.46.
 
8. For further information concerning this proceeding, contact Robert Baker, Media Bureau, (202) 418- 1417 or Gary Schonman, Media Bureau, (202) 418-1795.


					FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

					Michelle M. Carey
					Chief, Media Bureau

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