The FCC also lost an important ruling in federal court last week. Seeking a friendlier courtroom environment, the commission sought to move the case challenging the legality of its ownership rules to its home base in Washington, D.C.
However, a federal appeals court in Philadelphia rejected the request by FCC lawyers to transfer the case. Last month that same court in Philadelphia blocked the FCC from imposing the rules and is viewed by lawyers involved in the case as being less sympathetic to the commission than the District of Columbia court.
The appeals court in Philadelphia will hear the case, brought against the FCC by a group of small radio stations and consumer groups, in November. Several other legal challenges to the rules are also pending.
The Philadelphia court’s stay could keep the rules from taking effect for many months to come.
