FCC Wants High Court’s Review of Ownership Rules Decision

The FCC has filed a legal brief requesting the U.S. Supreme Court review the recent decision of the U.S. 3^rd Circuit Court of Appeal rejecting the FCC’s 2017 attempt to loosen the broadcast multiple ownership rules.  In the request and in an issued statement by the Chairman, the FCC says that its efforts have been unlawfully stymied by the same 3-judge panel that has overturned FCC attempts to change ownership rules on three different occasions over the past 17 years.

Getting the high court to accept the case is no easy task, as they grant review in only about 100 cases each year.  However, the Supreme Court has recently honed in on legal issues concerning judicial review of administrative agency decisions, and the FCC’s case could be attractive to the Court for that reason.  Even if accepted for review, the case would likely not be briefed and decided for months.