# Revision of Broadcast EEO Policies > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-26902 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Proposed Rule - **Published:** October 21, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 54600 ## Text FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Parts 1 and 73 [MM Docket No. 96-16, DA 96-1594] Revision of Broadcast EEO Policies AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of reply comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In Streamlining Broadcast EEO Rules and Policies, DA 96-1594, released September 20, 1996, the Commission accepts late-filed comments and, on its own motion, extends the date for filing reply comments concerning the Commission's Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MM Docket No. 96-16. A group of organizations (Petitioners) requests the acceptance of their late-filed comments, citing various reasons for the delay, including loss of staff and the failure of three hard drives. Because of these circumstances and in the interest of compiling a full record in this rule making, the Commission will accept these comments. In addition, due to the lateness of Petitioners' comments and their voluminous nature, the Commission believes that the public interest favors an extension of time for filing reply comments. DATES: Reply comments due October 25, 1996. ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hope G. Cooper, Mass Media Bureau, Enforcement Division. (202) 418-1450. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. On February 8, 1996, the Commission adopted an Order and Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 11 FCC Rcd 5154 (1996), 61 FR 9964 (March 12, 1996), which vacated the Commission's EEO Forfeiture Policy Statement and requested comment on proposals for amending the Commission's EEO Rule and policies. Comment and Reply Comment dates were established for April 30, 1996, and May 30, 1996, respectively. 2. On April 12, 1996, twenty organizations, including the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (hereinafter ``Petitioners''), filed a Motion for Extension of Time to file comments in response to the above-captioned proceeding.1 On April 26, 1996, the Commission granted the Petitioners' request for extension of time.2 The date for filing comments was extended to July 1, 1996, and the date [[Page 54601]] for filing reply comments was extended to July 31, 1996. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Minority Media and Telecommunications Council et al., Motion For Extension of Time, MM Docket No. 96-16, filed April 12, 1996. For the names of the twenty organizations, see National Council of Churches et al., Petition For Reconsideration and Clarification, MM Docket No. 96-16, filed April 11, 1996, at 1. \2\ FCC 96-198 (released: April 26, 1996), 61 FR 25183 (May 20, 1996). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Petitioners filed two additional extensions of time 3 which the Commission granted.4 In response to the last request, the Commission extended the date for filing comments to August 26, 1996, and the date for filing reply comments to September 25, 1996. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ Minority Media and Telecommunications Council et al., Motion For Further Extension of Time, MM Docket No. 96-16, filed June 20, 1996. Minority Media and Telecommunications Council et al., Motion For Further Extension of Time, and For Waiver of Filing Deadline, MM Docket No. 96-16, filed August 5, 1996. \4\ 11 FCC Rcd 7624 (1996), 61 FR 37241 (July 17, 1996); DA 96- 1279 (released: August 9, 1996), 61 FR 46755 (September 5, 1996). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. On August 26, 1996, Petitioners filed Volume III of their comments stating that Volumes I and II were still being edited but would be filed shortly.5 They stated that they ``experienced additional delay attendant to [their] analysis of the huge volume of data in the two research studies'' contained in Volume III. On September 17, 1996, Petitioners filed Volumes I and II of their comments. Petitioners cite various difficulties that delayed the completion of their comments including loss of staff and the failure of three hard drives. They request acceptance of their late-filed comments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ On August 12, 1996, Petitioners filed a letter indicating that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People had joined Petitioners in their comments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. In emergency situations, the Commission will consider motions for acceptance of comments filed after the filing date. See Section 1.46(b) of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR Section 1.46(b). Because of the circumstances cited above and in the interest of compiling a full record in this rule making, we will accept Petitioners' late-filed comments. However, due to the lateness of Petitioners' comments and their voluminous nature, we believe that the public interest favors an extension of the time for filing reply comments. Consequently, on our own motion, we will extend the deadline for filing reply comments to October 25, 1996. 6. Accordingly, it is ordered that the Commission, on its own motion, extends the time for filing reply comments. 7. It is further ordered that reply comments will be accepted through October 25, 1996. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 4(i) and 303(r), and Sections 0.204(b), 0.283 and 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR Sections 0.204(b), 0.283 and 1.46. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Roy J. Stewart, Chief, Mass Media Bureau. [FR Doc. 96-26902 Filed 10-18-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-26902. Public record. Not legal advice.