C.A . DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE 
ON INTELLIGENCE 
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2ND DISTRICT, M ARYLAND 
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WASHINGTO ... DC 20515 
12021 225 3061 
FAX: 12021 225 3094 
375 W£ST PADONIA ROAD, Su t 200 
Tovo<.o••. MD 21093 
14101 628 2701 
FAX ' 14101 628 2708 
www dutch.house.gov 
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March 26, 20 14 
The Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 121h Street, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20054 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
RANKING M EMBER 
I was recently contacted by a constituent business, Sinclair Broadcast Group, concerning 
the Report & Order regarding joint sales agreements between broadcast television stations, as 
well as the Public Notice released by the FCC's Media Bureau on March 12, 2014, regarding the 
processing of broadcast television applications proposing sharing arrangements and contingent 
interests. It is my understanding that the FCC plans to vote during its March 2014 meeting on 
proposed rule changes pertaining to joint sales agreements and how they are used to calculate 
television station ownership. 
We believe such regulations, if enacted outside of a larger media ownership proceeding 
or legislative process, could harm diversity, localism and competition, not only for Sinclair 
Broadcasting Group, but for other broadcasting corporations across the country. Accordingly, I 
would ask that you consider the principles outlined in this letter before your meeting in March so 
that Sinclair Broadcasting group and other broadcasting corporations have a firm and fair 
understanding ofthe rules and regulatory processes in place at the FCC. 
Firstly, any changes to rules regarding sharing arrangements should be made either in the 
context of a larger FCC media ownership preceding that would provide stakeholders with an 
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Secondly, existing transactions already approved by the FCC, should properly be 
grandfathered by any prospective rules. Retroactive application of rules to transactions entered 
into in full compliance with laws, and already approved by the government, is unfair to 
businesses. 
Finally, transactions already entered into and awaiting approval of the FCC, and made in 
reliance on existing laws and regulations, should be approved on the basis of existing rules, and 
not future rules. Companies are entitled to rely on rules, and once again the application of future 
regulations is inconsistent with our notions of rule of law. 
I appreciate your review of my concerns as they relate to Sinclair Broadcasting's pending 
application, and I look forward to your prompt response. Should you have any questions or 
concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Tara Oursler, Chief of Staff, 
at 410-628-2701. 
Sincerely, 
C-A- IJJ<L ~~"" 
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger 
Member of Congress