NAB, RTNDA Ask Court to Force FCC’s Hand On Personal Attack/Political Editorial Rules

NAB and RTNDA, still steaming over the FCC’s temporary suspension of the personal attack/political editorial rules, have filed an “emergency motion” with a federal court asking justices to order the commission to revoke the rules.
“Except for the next sixty days, the FCC’s action would keep in place rules which, at this point, lack any justification or basis and which repress the political speech of petitioners,” stated the groups in their motion.
It’s up to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit whether it wants to consider the request.
The FCC earlier this week temporarily suspended the rules, but asked broadcasters to keep it informed of their activities.
NAB and RTNDA counter this is not fair, because it seems the review and impact of what stations tell the commission would be “predetermined.”
At the same time, the commission said it is seeking further comments from those who believe the Fairness Doctrine should be retained.
NAB and RTNDA strongly oppose retaining the personal attack/political editorial rules and the specter of bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, saying they keep a stranglehold on broadcasters’ free speech.
The Fairness Doctrine was struck down in 1987, and the personal attack/political editorial rules stem from that collection of now-defunct statutes.
Leslie Stimson