Well, sooner or later, given the reckless, single-minded attitude of the
Chairman, things like this were bound to happen. I would rather see the repeal
of net neutrality investigated, more than on the business of ownership caps.
Neutrality of telecoms is far more basic and critical to everyone.
"Moreover, Chairman Pai has for many years called on the FCC to update its
media ownership regulations to match the realities of the modern marketplace.
The Chairman's actions on these issues have been consistent with his long-held
views."
Which proves nothing. People can also be on the take for years and years. Now
that the entire FCC appears to be on the take, it makes a difference. It's
stupid to make a partisan issue of this. Even Trump doesn't favor this level of
reckless deregulation. This is more in the realm of whack job libertarianism,
which for some really strange reason, the FCC brags about.
Eliminating the national cap is okay, but then combining that with eliminating
the local caps, cross-ownership rules, and restoring the nonsensical UHF
discount, all taken together, can't help but raise eyebrows. Duh!
Bert
-------------------------------------------------------
http://www.tvtechnology.com/news/0002/fcc-ig-agreed-to-investigate-pai-handling-of-sinclairtribune/282776
FCC IG Agreed to Investigate Pai Handling of Sinclair-Tribune
Rep. Pallone sought answers on possible coordination with broadcaster and
associated dereg
February 15, 2018
By John Eggerton
WASHINGTON-The FCC's Inspector General late last year agreed to open an
investigation into FCC chair Ajit Pai's handling of the Sinclair
Broadcasting-Tribune Media merger and related media ownership deregulatory
decisions.
That is according to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), ranking member of the House
Energy & Commerce Committee, who sought the IG investigation last fall. The IG
does not comment on whether or not it is investigating.
Pallone was concerned that Pai had improperly pushed for various deregulatory
moves-restoring the UHF discount, loosening local ownership restrictions-to
benefit Sinclair, whose Tribune purchase was a big beneficiary. He said the IG
is also investigating whether the dereg was "coordinated" with Sinclair.
Pai has said the review has been by the book, and he has long argued for
deregulating broadcasting and that the UHF discount should be looked at in
tandem with the 39 percent ownership cap, including whether an analog discount
should replace it, though he has also suggested the UHF discount was an
anachronism.
"For months I have been trying to get to the bottom of the allegations about
chairman Pai's relationship with Sinclair Broadcasting," Pallone said in a
statement and to The New York Times, which first reported his confirmation of
the investigation. "I am particularly concerned about reports that Chairman Pai
may have coordinated with Sinclair to time a series of Commission actions to
benefit the company. I am grateful to the FCC's Inspector General that he has
decided to take up this important investigation."
An FCC spokesperson had no comment on on the status of that investigation or
what the threshold for investigating a complaint is, though the FCC website
outlines the factors the IG considers in agreeing to investigate, but did
signal the suggesting of favorable treatment was meritless.
"Given that the FCC under Chairman Pai's leadership recently proposed a $13
million fine against Sinclair, the largest fine in history for a violation of
the Commission's sponsorship identification rules, the accusation that he has
shown favoritism toward the company is absurd," said the spokesperson.
"Moreover, Chairman Pai has for many years called on the FCC to update its
media ownership regulations to match the realities of the modern marketplace.
The Chairman's actions on these issues have been consistent with his long-held
views. Considering the strong case for modernizing these rules, it's not
surprising that those who disagree with him would prefer to do whatever they
can to distract from the merits of the reforms that the FCC has adopted."
Back in November, joined by Overnight and Government Reform Ranking Member
Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Pallone asked FCC inspector general David Hunt to
investigate whether Pai had "taken improper actions to benefit Sinclair
Broadcast Group."
At the time, an FCC spokesperson called the request part of an effort by
Democrats to target Sinclair over its perceived conservative political views
and branded the allegations a baseless attempt to distract from the merits of
the deal.
It is something of a chicken and egg issue. Did Pai help Sinclair by
deregulating as expected, or did Sinclair anticipate that deregulation and time
its Tribune deal to capitalize on it?
Pai's spokesperson said back in November of the request for an investigation:
"Unfortunately, this request appears to be part of many Democrats' attempt to
target one particular company because of its perceived political views, an
effort that dates all the way back to 2004 when Ranking Member Pallone, Ranking
Member Cummings, and other Democrats demanded that the FCC investigate Sinclair
based solely on the content of a documentary they didn't like and that hadn't
even aired. Any claim that chairman Pai is modifying the rules now to benefit
one particular company is completely baseless. For many years, chairman Pai has
called on the FCC to update its media ownership regulations-one of which dates
back to 1975. The Chairman is sticking to his long-held views and given the
strong case for modernizing these rules, it's not surprising that those who
disagree with him would prefer to do whatever they can to distract from the
merits of his proposals."
Pai has rolled back a number of decisions of his predecessor, Tom Wheeler, that
he opposed and criticized at the time they were approved, including 2014
guidance on how the FCC would treat joint sales agreements and sharing
arrangements between noncommonly owned stations; restoring the FCC's UHF
discount; and two proposals scheduled for a vote this week (Nov.
16)-potentially eliminating or loosening some media ownership limits and
allowing for the rollout of ATSC 3.0 transmissions. The FCC also recently
eliminated the main studio rule, which required broadcasters to maintain a
studio in their community of license.
Pallone and Cummings pointed to the timing of decisions that impact Sinclair
deals (such as its purchase of Bonten stations) and proposed deals (the Tribune
acquisition) and said they wanted some answers.
Meanwhile, the FCC has stopped the informal shot clock on its vetting of the
proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger while it awaits action by the Department of
Justice. Sinclair has modified the deal in light of the FCC's deregulatory
moves and in an effort to retain more stations. Likely if and when Justice
signs off on that, or its modification of Sinclair's modification, it will need
to be refiled with the FCC and put out for public comment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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