FCC Extends Pleading Cycle For Indecency Cases Policy

On April 1, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau and the Office of General Counsel released a Public Notice seeking comment on whether the full FCC should make changes to its current broadcast indecency policies or maintain them as they are. The Notice was published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2013, thereby establishing May 20, 2013, as the deadline for filing comments, and June 18, 2013, as the deadline for filing reply comments. On April 26, 2013, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed a request to extend the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments by 30 days. The NAB cited the importance of the FCC’s rules and policies governing broadcast indecency and the need for additional time to “respond fully to the complex policy, legal and constitutional questions raised in this proceeding.” NAB particularly cited its need to consider the views of its members on the issues and the impact on stations and networks.

By this Public Notice, the FCC grants the NAB’s request for additional time, recognizing the importance of affording all interested parties sufficient time to prepare their comments and to consider the comments filed in preparing reply comments as warranted. The FCC also respects the interest of the public in having sufficient time for review and consideration of the various positions and concerns.

Comment Date: June 19, 2013; Reply Comment Date: July 18, 2013. All comments should refer to GN Docket No. 13-86.