FCC SEEKS SUPREME COURT REVIEW OF THIRD CIRCUIT DECISION OBSTRUCTING COMMISSION EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES

FCC SEEKS SUPREME COURT REVIEW OF
THIRD CIRCUIT DECISION OBSTRUCTING COMMISSION
EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai
released the following statement after the Solicitor General petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court
for a writ of certiorari to review the judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the
Third Circuit in Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC:

“In November 2017, we adopted long-overdue reforms of our media ownership rules to allow
broadcasters to compete in today’s dynamic media marketplace. Our action was consistent
with Congress’s command that we repeal or modify any such rules that are no longer in the
public interest as a result of competition. It’s unfortunate that the same divided panel of the
Third Circuit yet again has blocked the Commission’s efforts to modernize our media
ownership rules—the latest obstruction of Commission action and congressional intent in
several cases over the last 17 years. As our filing notes, the court’s decisions have frozen in
place decades-old ownership restrictions that have outlived their competitive usefulness in the
digital age. Throughout our proceedings, the FCC has solicited extensive public input,
reviewed voluminous record materials, and adopted policies that the Commission determined
would strengthen local news outlets. Absent further action by the Supreme Court, broadcasters
will continue to be saddled with outdated regulations. The Supreme Court’s intervention is
necessary to restore the Commission’s discretion to regulate in the public interest and
modernize media ownership regulation for the digital age, as Congress intended.”

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