FCC Rejects Kucinich Complaint About CNN Debate

FCC REJECTS KUCINICH COMPLAINT ABOUT CNN DEBATE
The Federal Communications Commission is rejecting Rep. Dennis Kucinich's contention that CNN unfairly excluded him from the debate of the Democratic presidential candidates in South Carolina. In a decision that apparently was handed down late Friday but just published Tuesday on the FCC's Web site, the agency's Media Bureau cited free speech and the First Amendment for its rejection of the complaint the Kucinich campaign filed against both CNN and its parent, Time Warner. "Cable television operators have wide discretion in choosing the programming that is available on a cable system," the FCC said in its decision. "The First Amendment and federal law generally prohibit the commission from involving itself in the content of specific broadcast or cable television programs or otherwise engaging in activities that might be regarded as censorship." The Kucinich campaign had complained that as a federally qualified candidate, CNN had no right to exclude him from the debate that was held before the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. He said his exclusion violated equal-time requirements and "undermines the purpose of the communications act." The Media Bureau also said the FCC didn't have the authority to require CNN to include him.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/01/fcc_rejects_kucinich_complaint.php
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* FCC Rejects Kucinich's Attempt to Appear on CNN Democratic Debate
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6524626.html?rssid=193
* FCC Decision:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-136A1.pdf