Commissioner O'Rielly Statement on Sinclair/Tribune Hearing Designation Order

As an initial matter, I largely refrain from discussing adjudicatory proceedings. However, since it appears that the document has been provided to the press by someone, I believe comment is warranted. In general, I have long stated that parties to merger applications are entitled to an answer from the Commission and have expressed deep objections to blindly sending decisions to the Commission’s Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Accordingly, I believe that to the extent there are HDOs, to garner my support they must include sufficient and defined timelines for the ALJ to conduct and process a hearing. If included in the Sinclair/Tribune HDO, I am inclined to support it. The ALJ process is in need of significant reforms, including putting an end to the interminable hearing.