MMTC

Public interest group MMTC had petitioned the US Court of Appeals for a rehearing on its decision upholding the FCC decision deciding not to impose any multilingual EAS obligations on broadcasters. The full Court of Appeals has just issued a one sentence order denying that reconsideration request. While, theoretically, MMTC’s next appeal would be to the Supreme Court, lacking an issue of major significance or constitutional importance, that is unlikely.

The former general counsel and secretary of the NAACP, succeeds David Honig who becomes president emeritus and general counsel of the organization. Previously, she was the principal of her own law firm and served in the litigation practices of two nationally recognized law firms for more than 18 years.

A survey conducted by BIA/Kelsey and commissioned by the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council finds broadcasters are generally unconcerned that they may be at a disadvantage from in-market rivals with cross-media holdings.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski today gave his support to a request by the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council to delay the commission’s review of its ownership rules until MMTC can submit a study on possible impacts of changes. “In this heavily-litigated area where a strong record is particularly important, I believe this is a sensible approach to moving forward and resolving the issues raised in this proceeding,” Genachowski said.

The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council is promoting a group of seven proposals designed to boost minority ownership, employment and diversity. It also says the package “would likely be met with industry and civil rights organization consensus.”