A. H. Belo Corporation

Federal Communications Commission DA 96-1653

Before the

Federal Communications Commission

Washington, D.C. 20554

In re Request of )

A. H. BELO CORPORATION )

For Declaratory Ruling )

STAFF RULING

Adopted: October 1, 1996 Released: October 1, 1996

By the Chief, Mass Media Bureau:

1. The Commission has before it a request for declaratory ruling filed September 23,

1996, by the A. H. Belo Corporation (Belo). Belo seeks a Commission ruling that its proposal

to provide free air time in the context of news coverage of "major" candidates for the United

States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and Gubernatorial races prior to the

November 5, 1996, general election are exempt from the "equal opportunities" provision of

Section 315(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. 47 U.S.C. Section 315(a). For

the reasons discussed below, we believe that the proposal is consistent with the statutory

exemptions and related Commission and judicial case law and, accordingly, it should be deemed

exempt from the equal opportunities requirement as "on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news

event" programming under Section 315(a)(4).

Factual Background .

2. Belo proposes that, in each of the areas served by a station licensed to Belo,1 the Belo

station would, in cooperation with local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliates, produce a

program or programs featuring candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and

for Governor. Belo plans to begin airing these programs in October 1996. With respect to the

U.S. House of Representatives races, Belo will present candidates from districts within its

stations' respective Grade A contours

eration with local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliates, produce a

program or programs featuring candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and

for Governor. Belo plans to begin airing these programs in October 1996. With respect to the

U.S. House of Representatives races, Belo will present candidates from districts within its

stations' respective Grade A contours. When more than two legally qualified candidates are

competing for an office, Belo states that it will select candidates by utilizing "pre-established

objective criteria for public support and credibility appropriate to each jurisdiction involved, such

1 Belo is licensed to operate the following stations: WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX; KHOU-TV, Houston, TX;

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA; KXTV, Sacramento, CA; WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA; WVEC-TV, Norfolk/Hampton, V A;

and K.OTV, Tulsa, OK.

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Federal Communications Commission DA 96-1653

as significant levels of public support in independent public opinion polls, numbers of signatures

on nominating petitions, receipt of substantial campaign contributions from varied sources, prior

holding of significant public office(s), or receipt of a substantial level of votes in prior elections

for the same or comparable offices." Each station licensed to Belo will invite the selected

candidates to its studio to "videotape 'live'" their respective statements. Each program will be

introduced by Belo and PBS station officials and moderated by a newscaster from the local Belo

station's news division. The moderator will ask each candidate in turn to respond to the same

question with five minutes accorded for the candidates' responses. Once taped, the questions and

the "candidates' unedited five minute responses" will be combined by Belo news personnel into

a one-hour program, with the statements presented back-to-back and the order of presentation to

be determined by coin flip if two candidates are selected and by a drawing of straws if more than

two participate

with five minutes accorded for the candidates' responses. Once taped, the questions and

the "candidates' unedited five minute responses" will be combined by Belo news personnel into

a one-hour program, with the statements presented back-to-back and the order of presentation to

be determined by coin flip if two candidates are selected and by a drawing of straws if more than

two participate. The programming would be aired by both the local Belo and PBS stations and

will be broadcast without commercial interruption.2

3. Belo claims that its proposed format is fully consistent with Commission precedent,

which Belo argues has held that similar programming satisfies Congressional intent for exempt

bona fide "news event" broadcasts. Specifically, Belo contends that "[t]he presentation of

unedited statements by Congressional and Gubernatorial candidates on issues central to their

candidacies is, by any reasonable standard, newsworthy5 and the Belo proposal is carefully

structured to ensure against favoritism of any particular candidates." Furthermore, Belo notes in

support of its request, that it has received a number of journalism awards, particularly for its

coverage of local news, and that the proposed programming is in keeping with its concentration

on public service by increasing local news coverage in each of the communities it is licensed to

serve.

Discussion

Legal Background

4. Section 315 of the Act provides that if a broadcaster or origination cablecaster3 permits

a legally qualified candidate for public office to "use" a broadcast station or cable television

2 To accommodate all candidates in larger markets, Belo states that it may be necessary to produce "two

episodes." Belo maintains, however, that all of the selected candidates competing for the same office would always

appear in the same broadcast. Belo also states that it will offer the programming to local cable television systems

and radio stations

a broadcast station or cable television

2 To accommodate all candidates in larger markets, Belo states that it may be necessary to produce "two

episodes." Belo maintains, however, that all of the selected candidates competing for the same office would always

appear in the same broadcast. Belo also states that it will offer the programming to local cable television systems

and radio stations.

3 For purposes of applying the equal opportunities requirement, Section 315(c) defines "broadcasting station"

as including cable television systems. In implementing this provision, the Commission has applied Section 315 only

to a cable system's origination cablecasting, defined as programming over which it exercises exclusive control. 47

C.F.R Section 76.5(p).

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Federal Communications Commission DA 96-1653

system,4 it must afford equal opportunities to all legally qualified opponents for the same office.

In 1959. the Commission ruled that the appearance of the incumbent Mayor of Chicago on a local

newscast during his reelection campaign triggered equal opportunities rights for his opponents.

In re Telegram to CBS. Inc. ("Lar Dalv"). 18 Rad. Reg. 238, recon. denied. 26 FCC 715 (1959).

Congress, fearing that the ruling would inhibit news coverage of the political arena, within

months enacted four news exemptions to the equal opportunities requirement:

1) bona fide newscast;

2) bona fide news interview;

3) bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is

incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the

news documentary); and

4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including but not limited

to political conventions and activities incidental thereto).

47 U.S.C. Section 315(a)(l)-(4). In Aspenjnstitute. 55 FCC 2d 697 (1975), affdjubjiom^

Chisholm v. FCC. 538 F.2d 349 (D.C. Cir. 1976) cert.Jemed, 429 U.S

is

incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the

news documentary); and

4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including but not limited

to political conventions and activities incidental thereto).

47 U.S.C. Section 315(a)(l)-(4). In Aspenjnstitute. 55 FCC 2d 697 (1975), affdjubjiom^

Chisholm v. FCC. 538 F.2d 349 (D.C. Cir. 1976) cert.Jemed, 429 U.S. 890 (1976) ("Aspen"),

which granted a news event exemption to candidate debates, the Commission adopted a two-part

test for analyzing whether a program should be considered bona fide news event programming.5

First, it determined whether the format of the program reasonably fit within the news event

exemption category and, second, it assessed whether the decision to carry a particular event was

the result of good faith news judgment and not based on partisan purposes.

5. Since the Commission's decision in Aspen, the Commission has reevaluated its

interpretation of the statutory exemptions to give broadcasters greater discretion to present "news

event" coverage of the political process. Several years ago, in King Broadcasting Company, 6

FCC Red 4998 (1991), on remand from King Broadcasting Company v. FCC. 860 F.2d 465 (D.C.

Cir. 1988), vacating WEBE-108 Radio Company. 2 FCC Red 5963 (M.M. Bur. 1987), review

denied. FCC 88-162, released May 13, 1988 ("King"), the Commission ruled that back-to-back

appearances by the major candidates for the office of President hi programming produced by the

broadcaster could qualify as bona fide news event programming.

4 In general, a use is any "positive" identified or identifiable appearance of a legally qualified candidate. This

excludes disparaging depictions by opponents or third-party adversaries. See Report and Order. 7 FCC Red 678, 684

back

appearances by the major candidates for the office of President hi programming produced by the

broadcaster could qualify as bona fide news event programming.

4 In general, a use is any "positive" identified or identifiable appearance of a legally qualified candidate. This

excludes disparaging depictions by opponents or third-party adversaries. See Report and Order. 7 FCC Red 678, 684

(1991).

5 Eight years later in Henry Geller. 95 FCC 2d 1236, affd sub nom.. League of Women Voters v. FCC. 731

F.2d 995 (D.C. Cir. 1983) ("Geller"). the Commission held that its decision in Aspen had, in some respects, been

unnecessarily restrictive. Applying the two-prong test formulated in Aspen, it therefore allowed broadcasters to

sponsor and air debates from their own studios and to tape and air a "reasonably recent event." The Commission

reasoned that, although there was a chance that according broadcasters additional freedom and flexibility in their

news programming might result in an occasional abuse, Congress clearly had accepted that risk in order to foster

a more informed electorate. Id. at 1244.

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Federal Communications Commission DA 96-1653

6. More recently, in Fox Broadcasting Company ("Fox"), FCC 96-355 (released August

21, 1996), the Commission relied on its King decision and granted the requests of Fox, Capital

Cities/ABC and PBS that their respective proposals for the presentation of the major presidential

candidates be deemed exempt as on-the-spot coverage of a bona fide news event. In Fox.

however, the Commission noted that its holding was decided hi the context of elections at the

presidential level, and that, although it would utilize the same principles in considering requests

for news exemptions involving candidate presentations for offices below the presidential level,

those cases would be evaluated in the context of the specific circumstances of future requests.6

Analysis of Belo Request

7

on noted that its holding was decided hi the context of elections at the

presidential level, and that, although it would utilize the same principles in considering requests

for news exemptions involving candidate presentations for offices below the presidential level,

those cases would be evaluated in the context of the specific circumstances of future requests.6

Analysis of Belo Request

7. Consistent with the principles set forth in King and Fox, we believe that Belo's

proposed format for the presentation of congressional and gubernatorial candidates is exempt as

"on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events."

8. With respect to the first prong of the Aspen test, we agree with Belo that back-to-back

appearances by major Congressional and Gubernatorial candidates are reasonably treated as news

events. The Commission noted hi King that Congress had concluded generally that the objective

of equal opportunities "must be balanced against two other objectives no less vital: encouraging

maximum coverage of all news events ... hi order to cultivate a fully informed public, and

preservation of licensees' traditional independent journalistic judgment with respect to

broadcasting such events." Id. (quoting the court hi Kennedy for President Committee

("Kennedy"). 77 FCC 2d 965, 968-69, aff d sub nom. Kennedy for President Committee v. FCC.

636 F.2d 417 (D.C. Cir. 1980).) News coverage of congressional and gubernatorial candidates

is an extremely important element of local news coverage.7 Thus, consistent with the

Commission's finding in King and Fox that statements by the major candidates for the Presidency

are reasonably viewed as bona fide news events, we conclude that a broadcaster may reasonably

determine that a Congressional or Gubernatorial race, as Belo has determined, is sufficiently

newsworthy to warrant news coverage

ely important element of local news coverage.7 Thus, consistent with the

Commission's finding in King and Fox that statements by the major candidates for the Presidency

are reasonably viewed as bona fide news events, we conclude that a broadcaster may reasonably

determine that a Congressional or Gubernatorial race, as Belo has determined, is sufficiently

newsworthy to warrant news coverage.

6 While we recognize that, as a practical matter, broadcasters may seek to assure that the Commission

believes that a proposed format is exempt before it is broadcast, we note that broadcasters are not required by the

statute or case law to seek our approval before presenting programming deemed by the broadcaster to fit one of

the exempt bona fide news categories.

7 There is no indication in the statute or the legislative history that Congress intended that the Commission

apply any different standards to congressional or gubernatorial elections.

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Federal Communications Commission DA 96-1653

9. Furthermore, as we noted in King and Fox, the Geller ruling8 established that the "on-

the-spot" element of the news event exemption is not lost when programming is taped and shown

at some later date as long as the broadcast is of a "reasonably recent event." Thus, Belo's

proposed programming satisfies the first prong of our analysis.

10. With respect to the second prong of our analysis whether the broadcaster is

exercising good faith judgment that the event is newsworthy it is also clear that Belo has met

the guidelines enunciated in King and Fox. There is no evidence in the record of any intent to

advance a particular candidacy. The stuctural safeguards outlined by Belo to avoid favoritism

are consistent with the guidelines established in Fox and related case law

is whether the broadcaster is

exercising good faith judgment that the event is newsworthy it is also clear that Belo has met

the guidelines enunciated in King and Fox. There is no evidence in the record of any intent to

advance a particular candidacy. The stuctural safeguards outlined by Belo to avoid favoritism

are consistent with the guidelines established in Fox and related case law. The proposed

candidate statements are essentially identical to the back-to-back programming approved hi King

and the election eve statements in Fox, with the added safeguard also present in Fox that each

candidate's statement would respond to the same question. Furthermore, Belo asserts that it will

employ objective criteria in selecting the candidates, considering significant levels of public

support in independent public opinion polls, numbers of signatures on nominating petitions,

receipt of substantial campaign contributions from varied sources, prior holding of significant

public office(s), or receipt of a substantial level of votes in prior elections for the same or

comparable offices. As we stated in Fox, a licensee is not required to delegate the selection of

the candidates to a third party as long as its own criteria for candidate selection are reasonable.

We find that the criteria that Belo has committed to use for candidate selection meets this

standard. We also believe that Belo's commitment to present the statements uninterrupted and

unedited lends an additional assurance that the licensee does not intend to further any particular

candidacies.. We conclude, therefore, that Belo's decision to broadcast the event is not intended

to favor one candidate over another.

11. In view of the foregoing, A. H. Belo Corporation's request IS GRANTED. Staff

action is taken pursuant to delegated authority.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Roj^XStewart

Chief, Mass Media Bureau

See note 5, infra.

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