Free Press, Others Seek to Join FCC in NAB Political File Suit

Say they would be materially harmed if new online posting rule were overturned

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/20/2012 5:31:15 PM

A group of FCC political file posting fans has filed a motion in the D.C. U.S. Court of Appeals asking to join the FCC's side in a broadcaster suit against the commission's online political file rules.

According to a copy of the motion to intervene, Free Press, Benton Foundation, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, New America Foundation and the United Church of Christ take turns explaining to the court why they should be allowed to be party to the suit.

The general thrust is that they help challenge licenses or represent the public in FCC actions on issues, including having actively participated in the rulemaking that produced the FCC's online political file requirement. In addition, they said, they would be materially harmed if the FCC rules were reversed because, they say, "the new enhanced disclosure rules substantially enrich and advance each organization's research, advocacy, outreach and public-education efforts by making the information contained in television broadcasters' public files more accessible via the Internet."

The FCC in April voted to require TV stations to supply political file info, including spot prices, to an FCC online database. The National Association of Broadcasters sued, saying the commission lacked congressional the authority to require online posting.