Opinion ID: 308173
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The License Period

Text: 22 Brandywine's initial license period ran from April 29, 1965, through August 1, 1966. 24 It is important for this court to examine WXUR's operations during this period as these operations are the actual predicate of the action before us. 23 When the new management group assumed broadcast control on April 29, 1965, they began making substantial changes in the station's program format, despite the fact that these changes were not indicated in the proposed program format as presented by the Seminary in the transfer application. In addition, one of the programs on which the Commission placed the greatest reliance in granting the application, Interfaith Dialogue, did not first appear on WXUR until November 28, 1965, some seven months after the Seminary assumed control of the station. 25 The Commission enumerated a partial listing of programs which did appear in the early license period although not included in the Seminary's amended Typical Program Schedule. On May 3, 1965, WXUR broadcast Lifeline and Manion Forum; Behind the Headlines on May 4, 1965; Howard Kershner's Commentary on May 5, 1965; Independent Americans on May 6, 1965; The Dan Smoot Report on May 7, 1965; Church League of America on May 8, 1965; and Christian Crusade on June 14, 1965. 26 In this regard, it is interesting to note the admission by John H. Norris, the station's manager, that as soon as the F.C.C. said that . . . [the Seminary] could take the Station over, he commenced making arrangements for broadcast of the above programs. 27 All of these programs shared one common characteristic: they were devoted almost solely to coverage and discussion of viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. Personal attacks on the honesty, integrity and character of both groups and individuals were, unfortunately, not infrequent. 28 24 Seven months after the Seminary commenced operation of WXUR, the station was the subject of public condemnation by the Media Borough Council 29 and the House of Representatives of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 30 The Seminary's Broadcast Board attempted to soothe some of the ruffled nerves created by the Freedom of Speech program, 31 and continued its attempts at rehabilitating the station's image by introducing Inter-Faith Dialogue, promised in the January 1965 amendment to Brandywine's transfer application, on November 28, 1965. 32 25 WXUR was required to file its renewal application by early May, 1966. They were sent the necessary renewal packet early in 1966 by the Commission. At this time WXUR was also continuing to receive more specific communications from the Commission relating to complaints it had received from individuals, community groups and local governmental bodies. The record discloses that WXUR made attempts at this time to once again enhance its public image by attempting to produce several programs containing contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. Each of these programs were carefully detailed in Brandywine's renewal application filed May 3, 1966. 33 That application would have, if granted, provided Brandywine a license for a three-year period from August 1, 1966, through July 31, 1969. Based on Brandywine's operating record from March 17, 1965, through the May 3, 1966, filing date, nineteen parties opposed the renewal application and urged the Commission to deny Brandywine's application. 34 This opposition was in the form of a joint pleading filed with the Commission on July 19, 1966. 26 After considering the submissions of the parties the Commission found that substantial questions did exist as to 27 whether the applicant has met the conditions set forth in the Commission's . . . [Transfer Order] . . . during its license period from April 29, 1965 to August 1, 1966;. . . whether the applicant fully and candidly advised the Commission of its program plans in connection with its [transfer] application . . .; the applicant's efforts to comply with the Commission's Fairness Doctrine, including the personal attack principle; and . . . whether the applicant has used the facilities of its stations to serve the sectarian and political views of its principals and to raise funds for their support rather than to serve the community generally, and whether this was misrepresented to the Commission in its application for acquisition of control of these stations. In the latter connection, the Commission notes the charges that the applicant has operated stations WXUR and WXUR-FM, as a divisive force in the community by disparaging racial and religious groups and by castigating and vilifying persons and groups espousing views on public controversial issues different from those of the applicant. 35 28 The Commission adopted a number of issues for hearing of which four remain pertinent to these proceedings: 29 . To determine whether the applicant failed to inform the Commission fully of its program plans in connection with its application for acquisition of control of Stations WXUR and WXUR-FM; 30 . To determine whether the applicant has complied with the Fairness Doctrine and Section 315 of the Act by affording a reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance during its license period; 31 . To determine whether during its license period the applicant has complied with the personal attack principle of the Fairness Doctrine by furnishing copies of pertinent tapes, continuities or summaries to persons or groups attacked, with specific offers of the stations' facilities for responses, where discussions of controversial public issues have involved personal attacks; 32 . To determine whether the applicant in connection with its application for transfer of control of Stations WXUR and WXUR-FM misrepresented to the Commission its program plans. 36 33 The Commission designated the WXUR renewal application for hearing stating that it was 34 unable to determine that a grant of these renewal applications would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. In order to insure that a full record is made detailing all pertinent and relevant facts concerning the applicant's operations of stations WXUR and WXUR-FM and its representations concerning such application, an evidentiary hearing is required. 37