Opinion ID: 480961
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Articulation of Commission Reasoning in Reaching Its Public Interest Determination

Text: 25 A radio station license may only be assigned upon application to the Commission and upon finding by the Commission that the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served thereby. Furthermore, such application shall be disposed of as if the proposed transferee or assignee were making application under section 308 for the permit or license in question. 47 U.S.C. Sec. 310(d) (1982). Although not defining what constitutes the public interest, convenience, and necessity, section 308 does suggest their scope by providing that applications for licenses shall set forth such facts as the Commission by regulation may prescribe as to the citizenship, character, and financial, technical, and other qualifications of the applicant to operate the station; ... the purpose for which the station is to be used; and such other information as it may require. 47 U.S.C. Sec. 308(d). 26 Over the years, the FCC has developed a form on which it solicits the information it requires in order to discharge its statutory responsibilities. Specifically, the parties who propose to assign a broadcast station license pursuant to section 310(d) must apply for FCC approval on FCC Form 314, Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License. 47 C.F.R. Sec. 73.3540 (1985). On this form, a proposed assignee must disclose its corporate structure, any alien control, adverse decisions against it in various judicial and administrative proceedings, other media interests held by it or any other party to the assignment, as well as other information the Commission considers relevant in determining whether the proposed assignment will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. 27 As we have pointed out, the actual criteria to be applied by the FCC in determining whether a particular assignment is in the public interest lies within its very broad discretion. While we have held that it must articulate with reasonable clarity its reasons for decision, Greater Boston Television Corp. v. FCC, 444 F.2d at 851, it is not essential that its reasoning be set forth in its final order. [I]f the necessary articulation of basis for administrative action can be discerned by reference to clearly relevant sources other than a formal statement of reasons, we will make the reference. Environmental Defense Fund v. EPA, 465 F.2d 528, 537 (D.C.Cir.1972) (footnote omitted). In the instant case, the application form itself--in conjunction with the FCC's consent to the assignment--and the Bureau's discussion of the specific issues raised in appellant's petition to deny together provide a sufficient articulation of the grounds for the Commission's decision. 28 By requiring a proposed assignee to address the relevant facets of the public interest, convenience, and necessity on FCC Form 314, the Commission has incorporated the consideration of these issues into its application process. Therefore, the FCC's approval of WEAM's application implies a finding on ample information that the public interest will be served by the assignment. 29 In the instant case, the FCC record reveals the Bureau's detailed discussion not only of the format diversity issue raised in appellant's petition to deny, letter-order at 2-3, J.A. at 105-06, but also of its charge that Viacom was disqualified to receive the license because of antitrust and discrimination charges that had been filed against it and its affiliates, letter-order at 3-4, J.A. at 106-07. 30 Given the information solicited by the FCC on FCC Form 314, and given the Bureau's detailed findings on issues specifically raised in appellant's petition to deny, we hold the Commission's May 15 Order, in which it makes specific reference to the Bureau's letter-order, to be a sufficient articulation of the FCC's finding that the assignment is in the public interest. We will not require the Commission to engage in a formalistic recitation of the specific findings implicit in its ratification of its Bureau's analysis. 31