Commissioner Calls FCC Proposal An Attack on Main Studio Rule

The FCC has adopted a proposal that the agency believes will support local journalism and incentivize the production of local programming by prioritizing the processing and review of applications from broadcast stations that invest in and prioritize local programming in communities across the country, TV Technology reports.

“We want to ensure our policies support local journalism because it is so vital for our communities and our country.  This creative proposal offers a new way to do just that,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

The adoption of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking sets in motion a process of seeking public comment before the FCC votes on the final rules and issues a Final Order. 

Nathan Simington

Specifically, the FCC said that it “proposes to adopt an application processing policy that, with respect to applications for renewal, transfer, or assignment of a license, would prioritize evaluation of those applications filed by stations that certify that they provide locally originated programming.  These applications would be the first to be reviewed, which would likely result in quicker action and, if the application is granted, quicker approval of these applications.”  

The idea was opposed by commissioner Nathan Simington who complained it was a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” that was really a “collateral attack on the Commission’s elimination of the Main Studio Rule.”

“It purports to serve localism by providing an incentive to broadcasters to create or retain sources of `locally-originated programming.’" he said in a statement. 

"If broadcasters wish to have their broadcast license applications fast-tracked,—that is, timely processed—and those applications are otherwise encumbered by a hold, petition to deny, or `other processing issue’ (left to the staff’s discretion), then staff will timely act on the application.  While the language of the item suggests that this means that broadcasters with locally-originated programming have a leg up, what it actually means is that any broadcaster who originates news for Market A from a studio in Market B might now have any application—at least for which a `processing issue’ credibly can be discovered or manufactured—slowed.  This is a collateral attack on the Commission’s elimination of the Main Studio Rule, and the item all but says so.”