[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60509-60510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29512]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection Being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission for Extension Under Delegated 
Authority 5 CFR 1320 Authority, Comments Requested.

November 4, 1997.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general 
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment 
on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or 
sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for 
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control 
number. Comments are requested concerning: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information 
shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's 
burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Persons wishing to comment on this information collection should 
submit comments January 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Jerry Cowden, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 240-B, 2000 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554, or via 
internet to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91fbf2fee6f5f4ffd1f7f2f2bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dfb5bcb0a8bbbab19fb9bcbcf1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection(s) contact Jerry Cowden at 202-418-0447 
or via internet at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cda7aea2baa9a8a38dabaeaee3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94fef7fbe3f0f1fad4f2f7f7baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    OMB Approval Number: 3060-0314.
    Title: 47 CFR 76.209 Fairness doctrine; personal attacks; political 
attacks.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 1,312.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2-3 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: We estimate that there are approximately 525 
cablecast personal attacks made on an annual basis which would require 
cable operators to comply with the notification requirements set forth 
in 76.209(b). The average burden for cable operators to comply with 
these notification requirements is estimated to be 2 hours per 
incident. 525 notifications of cablecast personal attacks x 2 
hours=1,050 hours. We estimate that there are approximately 787 
cablecast political editorials made on an annual basis which would 
require cable operators to comply with the notification requirements 
set forth in 76.209(d). The average burden for cable operators to 
comply with these notification requirements is estimated to be 3 hours 
per cablecast. 787 x 3 hours=2,361 hours. Total estimated annual burden 
to respondents=1,050+2,361=3,411 hours.
    Needs and Uses: Section 76.209(b) requires that when, during 
origination cablecasting, an attack is made upon the honesty, 
character, integrity, or like personal qualities of an identified 
person or group, the respective cable television system operator shall, 
within a reasonable time and in no event later than one week after the 
attack, transmit to the person or group attacked (1) notification of 
the date, time and

[[Page 60510]]

identification of the cablecast; (2) a script, tape or accurate summary 
of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond 
to the attack over the licensee's facilities. The provisions of 
paragraph (b) of Section 76.209 do not apply to cablecast material 
which falls within one or more of the following categories: (1) 
Personal attacks on foreign groups or foreign public figures; (2) 
personal attacks occurring during uses by legally qualified candidates; 
(3) personal attacks made during cablecasts by legally qualified 
candidates, their authorized spokespersons or those associated with 
them in the campaign, on other such candidates, their spokespersons or 
persons associated with the candidates in the campaign; and (4) bona 
fide newcasts, news interviews, and on-the-spot coverage of bona fide 
news events, including commentary or analysis contained in the 
foregoing programs. Additionally, Section 76.209(d) requires that when 
a cable television system operator in an editorial endorses or opposes 
a legally qualified candidate, the operator shall, within 24 hours of 
the editorial, transmit to the other qualified candidate(s) for the 
same office or the candidate opposed, notification of the date, time 
and channel of the editorial; a script or tape of the editorial; and an 
offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the system's 
facilities.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-29512 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P


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