Federal Communications Commission FCC 18-20
STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI
Re: Elimination of Obligation to File Broadcast Mid-Term Report (Form 397) Under Section 
73.2080(f)(2), MB Docket No. 18-23; Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, MB Docket 
No. 17-105
In 2002, members of the United States Winter Olympic Team won 34 medals for their exemplary 
performances at the Salt Lake City Games.  That same year, the FCC adopted the current Form 397, 
which certain broadcast television stations are required to file around the mid-point of their license 
term, providing information about their employment practices.  At the time, some athletes competing 
now in PyeongChang, South Korea, like gold medalist American snowboarder Red Gerard, were barely 
old enough to walk.
Much has changed in the 16 years since Salt Lake City—and not just in the world of sports.  For 
one thing, the FCC now requires broadcasters to maintain online public inspection files.  And by March 1 
of this year, broadcasters’ transition to this online Commission-hosted database will be complete.  
Why is this relevant?  Because nearly all of the information broadcasters are required to provide 
on Form 397 is now readily available in their online public files.  This appears to render the filing 
obligation redundant and unnecessarily burdensome.  So today’s Notice proposes to get rid of it.  Even 
absent this filing obligation, the FCC will still be statutorily required to conduct mid-term reviews of 
television stations’ compliance with our equal employment opportunity (EEO) rules.
I’d like to thank the staff who worked on this Notice: from the Media Bureau, Steven Broeckaert, 
Michelle Carey, Lyle Elder, Martha Heller, Jonathan Mark, Mary Beth Murphy, Holly Saurer, and Sarah 
Whitesell, and from the Office of General Counsel, Susan Aaron and Dave Konczal.  When it comes to 
modernizing the Commission’s media rules, you are continuing to go for the gold each and every month.