NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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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
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
May 8, 2015 Robin Colwell, (202) 418-2013
Robin.Colwell@fcc.gov
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY 
ON D.C. CIRCUIT’S DECISION IN CBS CORP. v. FCC
As the Commission’s review of one of the proposed mergers proceeds, I am relieved that 
the court has acted to prevent the irreparable harm that would certainly have resulted from 
exposing the confidential terms of agreements struck by America’s leading content producers to 
their competitors and outside interest groups as well.  Although I disagree with the court’s 
assessment that there was an adequate explanation why disclosure is in the public interest or a 
good idea on balance, the Commission undeniably failed to show that disclosure of this 
extremely sensitive information to third parties was necessary.