Opinion ID: 308173
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Initial Decision

Text: 36 Hearing Examiner Irion released his Initial Decision on December 13, 1968. This very lengthy examination of the case 40 was most thorough with regard to findings of fact, however, the high quality of fact finding led the examiner to only irrational conclusions and findings of law. Intervenors have termed this decision a whitewash of Brandywine's performance as a licensee 41 -this court must concur in that assessment. Several examples will make this clear. 37 1. Presentation of Contrasting Viewpoints on Controversial Issues. Hearing Examiner Irion found that WXUR should be excused from complying with the fairness doctrine because of the small staff retained by the station. Secondly, he found that programming on WXUR was balanced by the programming of other licensees in the Philadelphia market. Both of these conclusions are clearly erroneous. The fairness doctrine applies to all licensees, while area wide programming is not a valid consideration in determining whether a licensee has complied with the fairness requirements. See Green v. F. C. C. 42 38 2. Personal Attack Violations. The Examiner made numerous findings against WXUR for failure to comply with the personal attack principle of the fairness doctrine. However, his conclusions fail to recommend any sanctions for these numerous violations. It is not necessary for this court to prepare a line-by-line analysis and refutation of the Examiner's decision; nor would it be prudent for us to do so as the Commission has issued its own detailed opinion reversing the Examiner. Nonetheless we are sufficiently disturbed by the Examiner's final conclusion to pause for a moment to reflect and comment. Examiner Irion concluded by saying: 39 Thus the decision must be shaped by ultimate objectives rather than by isolated instances of error. This will not be an invitation to carelessness or disregard of the ethical principles involved in the personal attack rules since punishment by forfeiture will always await the transgressor but, in the unusual circumstances of this case, Draconian justice is inadvisable. 43 40 It is clear to this court, as it was to the Commission, that the Examiner began his herculean opinion by determining both his conclusion and ultimate disposition of this case. Rather than suiting his conclusions to let the punishment fit the crime, he chose to adopt a benevolent stance ill-suited to the facts in this case. The Initial Decision allows appearance to tyrannize over truth. The facts surrounding Brandywine's operation of WXUR are neither so pliant nor sufficiently malleable to allow for the conclusions of the Examiner. 41 The opinion did contain a number of findings adverse to Brandywine; however, the licensee failed to file exceptions as to any of these matters. 44 Both intervenors and the Broadcast Bureau of the Commission filed extensive exceptions.