A hallmark of the Ajit Pai FCC chairmanship is that he has almost complete support from fellow Republicans, who have maintained party discipline. Republican Mike O’Rielly has had one full dissent and 12 partial dissents, our review found. Former officials told us Pai has no reason to complain.
The FCC Office of the Inspector General found “no evidence or suggestion of impropriety, unscrupulous behavior, or favoritism” in FCC actions toward Sinclair, said a statement issued Monday by Chairman Ajit Pai that was later confirmed by the original document. An investigation of Pai’s relationship to Sinclair was requested last fall by Democratic lawmakers (see 1802150031) and critics of Sinclair’s buy of Tribune -- including Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Opponents of the Sinclair/Tribune have said the Pai FCC’s moves on ownership deregulation appeared to give Sinclair special treatment, before he advanced the hearing designation order (HDO) that killed the deal.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied a motion to stay the FCC’s March infrastructure order, leaving it in place with the broader court challenge pending. United Keetoowah Band v. FCC & USA, No. 18-1129, consolidates tribal challenges to the March order, which was approved 3-2 over dissents by Democrats Jessica Rosenworcel and Mignon Clyburn (see 1803220027).
Tribune filed a $1 billion breach of contract complaint against Sinclair Broadcast in the wee hours of Thursday morning, and the collapse of their deal could mean the end of the FCC’s administrative law judge proceeding against Sinclair but likely won’t put to rest all the consequences of the agency’s hearing designation order, attorneys and broadcasters said in Thursday interviews.
Tribune filed a $1 billion breach of contract complaint against Sinclair Broadcast in the wee hours of Thursday morning, and the collapse of their deal could mean the end of the FCC’s administrative law judge proceeding against Sinclair but likely won’t put to rest all the consequences of the agency’s hearing designation order, attorneys and broadcasters said in Thursday interviews.
The solicitor general asked the Supreme Court not to review the merits of cert petitions appealing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling that upheld the previous FCC's 2015 Title II Communications Act net neutrality order. Given the current FCC's January reversal order, the SG asked justices to grant cert but vacate the D.C. Circuit judgment and remand the 2015 order litigation with directions to declare related legal challenges moot, or to consider the effect of the 2018 order. Some thought the SG's request had a good chance.
The solicitor general asked the Supreme Court not to review the merits of cert petitions appealing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling that upheld the previous FCC's 2015 Title II Communications Act net neutrality order. Given the current FCC's January reversal order, the SG asked justices to grant cert but vacate the D.C. Circuit judgment and remand the 2015 order litigation with directions to declare related legal challenges moot, or to consider the effect of the 2018 order. Some thought the SG's request had a good chance.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejection Wednesday (see 1807250002) of anti-consolidation groups’ petition against the restored UHF discount is seen as removing pressure on the FCC to raise the national cap and paving the way for TV station dealmaking.
Sinclair told FCC Chairman Ajit Pai it didn’t have the time or authority to withdraw the deal to buy Tribune after a hearing designation order (HDO) circulated, said an email from General Counsel Barry Faber to Pai Wednesday. It was filed the next day and posted Friday in docket 17-179 as an ex parte by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s office. The email mentions a Tuesday call between Faber and Pai. The draft HDO was announced July 16 (see 1807190060) and released Thursday.
Sinclair told FCC Chairman Ajit Pai it didn’t have the time or authority to withdraw the deal to buy Tribune after a hearing designation order (HDO) circulated, said an email from General Counsel Barry Faber to Pai Wednesday. It was filed the next day and posted Friday in docket 17-179 as an ex parte by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s office. The email mentions a Tuesday call between Faber and Pai. The draft HDO was announced July 16 (see 1807190060) and released Thursday.