NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street, S.W.
Washington, DC  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).
News Media Information: (202) 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: (888) 835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
February 21, 2014 Matthew Berry, 202-418-2005
Email:  Matthew.Berry@fcc.gov
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI
ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE CRITICAL INFORMATION NEEDS STUDY
I welcome today’s announcement that the FCC has suspended its “Multi-Market Study of 
Critical Information Needs,” or CIN study. This study would have thrust the federal government 
into newsrooms across the country, somewhere it just doesn’t belong.  The Commission has now 
recognized that no study by the federal government, now or in the future, should involve asking 
questions to media owners, news directors, or reporters about their practices.  This is an 
important victory for the First Amendment. And it would not have been possible without the 
American people making their voices heard.  I will remain vigilant that any future initiatives not
infringe on our constitutional freedoms.