Pai and O'Rielly Statement on Protecting Noncommercial Educational Broadcasters from Needless Regulation

We strongly object to the Media Bureau’s decision to resolve the petitions for reconsideration of the Commission’s decision in 2016 to impose unnecessary reporting requirements on noncommercial educational (NCE) television stations. The Commission’s ruling no longer enjoys the support of the majority of Commissioners—nor is there a majority that supports today’s Media Bureau decision—so it was wrong for the Bureau to bypass Commissioners and reaffirm these reporting requirements unilaterally. And making matters worse, the Bureau gave no notice to Commissioners of its decision, leaving our offices to find out about its order from the press. This basic lack of comity is unacceptable in any situation, but is especially unfortunate during a transition between Administrations.