WASHINGTON, D.C. — Time is ticking for the FCC to complete its 2018 quadrennial review, or provide a federal appeals court a solid reason why it cannot — even after it has announced the start of its 2022 review, by law.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has ordered the Federal Communications Commission to complete the long-overdue 2018 quadrennial review in 90 days.
Or, the FCC must show cause why a NAB petition for mandamus — essentially a “finish it already” petition — should not be granted.
With a Democratic 3-2 majority finally in place after three years, the FCC must now decide how to proceed.
NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt was pleased with the D.C. federal appeals court ruling, applauding the Court “for recognizing the vital importance of the FCC completing its long overdue 2018 quadrennial review. Today, broadcasters’ service to communities across the country is imperiled by the Commission’s failure to modernize its decades-old media ownership rules.”
LeGeyt added in comments delivered late Friday (9/29) that the ruling “is an important step to compel a review that the record makes clear is necessary to allow local broadcasters to more fairly compete and deliver our trusted, locally-focused programming in a transformed media marketplace.”
In conclusion, LeGeyt says the NAB “looks forward to actively engaging with the FCC to forge a path forward and reinforce the essential service provided by free, local broadcast stations in communities across the country.”
